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 over the buildings, bridges and river of Spokane, Washington.

Preparing Washington’s second largest city for wildfire season

DEOHS researchers partner with Gonzaga University and others to make Spokane “smoke ready” with $1.1 million EPA grant

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A woman in a hard hat, safety jacket and gloves sets fire to a pile of brush with trees in the background.

Prescribed burning reduces wildfire smoke impacts

DEOHS-led research helps California forest managers assess smoke hazards from prescribed burns

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Smoky skies over the Seattle skyline looking west to Olympic Mountains.

Climate change causing ‘indisputable’ harm to our health

5th National Climate Assessment authors include DEOHS climate experts

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A traffic sign is partially submerged in flood waters.

Preparing the Northwest for disasters

CDC funds UW to take first steps toward regional public health emergency preparedness center

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A large home sits in the foreground with wildfire and smoke on the hillside behind it.

Wildfire smoke tied to increased risk of ER visits

DEOHS-led research finds people of all ages at increased risk of emergency room visits following wildfire smoke exposure

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Joan Casey sits at a wood table outside on the UW campus with trees in the background.

Seeking sustainability and environmental justice

New DEOHS faculty member Joan Casey uses big data to analyze population-scale health problems and solutions

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In the news

Salt Lake's rising air pollution threat: Wildfire smoke and dementia
February 6, 2025 | Axios | Featured: Joan Casey View

Listener Picks: The lingering effects of wildfire smoke
February 6, 2025 | WAMU American University Radio | Featured: Joan Casey View

New research shows poor air quality could cause dementia
January 29, 2025 | KCBS Radio | Featured: Joan Casey View

The L.A. fires are contained, but the harm to people’s brains may linger
January 29, 2025 | The Washington Post | Featured: Joan Casey View

Driving away from wildfires can be harrowing. Here’s what to do.
January 14, 2025 | The Washington Post | Featured: Joel D. Kaufman View