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

Collage of two images: on left, wildfire smoke and fire in a Washington forest; on right, five farmworkers harvest lettuce in the heat under a canopy with hats and scarves.

Wildfire smoke and extreme heat projects win population health awards

DEOHS researchers and partners tackle health impacts of smoke and heat with new grants from UW Population Health Initiative

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A table of seven farmworkers and a child sit in the foreground having a discussion, with other tables of people in the background.

Supporting farmworker families through smoke season

Our PNASH Center and Wenatchee CAFÉ host community events to understand the concerns of farmworker parents

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Claire Schollaert sits on a bench on the UW campus.

Protecting communities while reducing wildfire risk

DEOHS PhD student wins Castner Award to support air quality research on prescribed burns

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A smoke plume rises from a wildfire on a hillside near a group of houses.

Planning for disaster

Disaster researchers gather at the University of Washington this week to consider how to integrate their research into future disaster response

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A plume of wildfire smoke behind the center of a small town showing brick buildings and cars.

6 ways communities can prepare for wildfire season

As smoke season continues in Washington, a new report outlines the best ways to communicate health and safety risks

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A woman wearing a headset stands at a listening station next to a tall portrait of a doctor, while two girls next to her look at a second tall portrait of a woman.

Telling the story of wildfire smoke risks

New art installation in Washington features trusted community members sharing how wildfire smoke affects their health—and how they cope

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In the news

Wildfire communication gaps persist for Spanish speakers in Washington. These groups are working to close them
June 30, 2025 | Northwest Public Broadcasting | Featured: Maria Blancas View

DOGE withdraws remaining $866 of UW researcher’s grant, reflecting contradictory mission of the EPA
May 28, 2025 | The Daily | Featured: Elena Austin View

Hurricanes, fires, floods: A rising threat to cancer care
May 20, 2025 | Medscape | Featured: Joan Casey View

In California, flawed air rules threaten farmworkers as wildfires pump more smoke onto fields
May 19, 2025 | Inside Climate News | Featured: Edward Kasner View

DOGE canceled this UW scientist’s grant — to save just $866
May 10, 2025 | The Seattle Times | Featured: Elena Austin View