The health effects of wildfire smoke

Worker approaches a blazing wildfire in a forest.

DEOHS wildfire experts are investigating how smoke affects our health and strategies to reduce its impacts

 

DEOHS wildfire smoke experts were featured in a recent webinar hosted by the UW School of Public Health

Wildfires are natural and inevitable in our forestlands. Climate change is making our wildfire seasons longer, hotter and more dangerous.

The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) has a long history of leading research into the impacts of wildfires on human health.

Through our research and outreach activities, DEOHS faculty and students are building our understanding of how wildfire smoke can damage our health and the best ways to protect people and communities from harm.

Learn about our impact, research and expertise below.

Our impact

Smoky skies reduce visibility along a road in central Washington.

Let's talk about wildfire smoke and your health

Summer’s smoky skies prompt call from DEOHS researchers for better communication about health risks

LEARN MORE

In the news

Wildfire smoke might damage male fertility
October 9, 2025 | HealthDay | Featured: Tristan Nicholson View

UW Study: Wildfire smoke impacts sperm quality
October 1, 2025 | KXLY | Featured: Tristan Nicholson View

Wildfire smoke now kills 41,000 Americans a year, study finds
September 19, 2025 | HealthDay | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman View

Wildfire smoke to drift into greater Seattle area, impacting air quality
September 15, 2025 | Fox 13 | Featured: Coralynn Sack View

Climate activists cite health hazards in bid to stop Trump from ‘unleashing’ fossil fuels
September 11, 2025 | KFF Health News | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View