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

The Seattle skyline on a foggy or smokey day with the freeway leading into it

At every age, cleaner air means better health

Tiny pollution particles can cause major health problems. Our research shows how to minimize your risk.

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A forest fire on a ridge against a darkened sky next to a river with a bridge crossing.

Keeping forests and people healthy

Consensus approach proposed to protect human health from intentional and wild forest fires

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Woman in hijab and safety glasses pours tan-colored liquid from a large bucket into a large beaker.

Building community resilience to climate change

DEOHS grad student Daaniya Iyaz studies how wildfire smoke impacts kids’ health

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Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire Smoke Rule

A study of the Washington state Wildfire Smoke Rule to protect outdoor worker health funded by the UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies

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Three-part image including photos of a woman holding an air pollution monitor outside, two people in masks and face shields in a lab holding water samples, and firefighters fighting a wildfire.

Our most-read stories of 2021

Collaboration, community health and clean air: counting down our top 10 blog posts of 2021

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Two kids bike and one kid walks through flood water with a yellow shuttered building in the background.

Climate change sounds ‘code red’ for health

Climate crisis gravely threatens human health, according to new Lancet Countdown report coauthored by DEOHS researchers

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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