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

In a hotter world, some people age faster, researchers find
August 25, 2025 | The New York Times | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View

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

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

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

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