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

An oil drilling rig backlit by smoky skies at sunset with windmills in the background.

Wildfires increasingly threaten oil and gas drill sites

Some 3 million people could face compounded health risks in coming decades as a result, according to new study

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Hannah McKinley smiles in front of a bush on the UW campus.

From the ‘COVID years’ to belonging

Hannah McKinley named 2024 DEOHS Outstanding Undergraduate Student

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Wildfire smoke behind a mountainous landscape with fields in the foreground.

Indigenous communities in California are disproportionately exposed to wildfire smoke

DEOHS faculty member Joan Casey and colleagues assess long-term exposures to wildfire smoke with an environmental justice lens

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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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In the news

New studies tie unrecognized deaths and health problems to Maui and LA wildfires
August 6, 2025 | ABC News | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View

Wildfire smoke settles over Seattle, impacts air quality in western Washington
August 5, 2025 | FOX 13 Seattle | Featured: Coralynn Sack View

How to limit smoke exposure through wildfire season
August 5, 2025 | KIRO 7 | Featured: Coralynn Sack View

Plan now to reduce wildfire smoke exposure
August 4, 2025 | UW Medicine | Featured: Coralynn Sack View

Researchers retract, then re-publish study linking wildfire smoke and dementia
July 10, 2025 | CBC | Featured: Joan Casey View