Health News How Wildfires Can Affect Human Health

Do wildfires pose serious risks to human health?

Fires pose serious health risks even when they are not deadly. People in fire zones can suffer burns, breathing problems due to smoke inhalation, injuries, and other trauma from evacuations. Wildfire ... Read More

How wildfire smoke impacts health

During wildfire season, every fire comes with the direct risk of what it burns. But there is a secondary risk that comes with all wildfires: The impact of smoke haze on human health. Smoky air is a ... Read More

New studies tie unrecognized deaths and health problems to Maui and LA wildfires

The toll of wildfires is usually counted in acres burnt, property destroyed and lives lost to smoke and flames. But three studies published Wednesday suggest the cost to human health from the Maui and ... Read More

Wildfire smoke may be fueling mental health struggles, study finds

A new study found that exposure to wildfire smoke was linked to increased use of mental health medications. The research focused on Medicare recipients and tracked prescriptions for conditions like ... Read More

Study: Wildfire smoke kills 41K people in U.S. per year

Every summer, hazy skies and the smell of burning wood remind Americans that wildfires affect far more than just the communities where they ignite. Their smoke drifts for hundreds, even thousands of ... Read More

Scientists make disturbing new discovery about wildfire smoke: 'Overlooked chemistry'

The latest study adds to the already hefty list of problematic outcomes stemming from wildfires. Scientists make disturbing new discovery about wildfire smoke: 'Overlooked chemistry' first appeared on ... Read More

Wildfire smoke is obvious, but its long-term health impacts are not

The 2025 Canadian wildfire season is on track to be the country's second worst on record, burning more than 16.5 million acres and causing wildfire smoke to travel to the Midwest and Northeast United ... Read More

Wildfire smoke found to reduce sperm quality in new study

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Wildfire season may be over, but new research indicates a hidden toll still lingers among many. Researchers at the University of Washington found that wildfire smoke exposure ... Read More

Do wildfires pose serious risks to human health?

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world. Our ... Read More

New studies tie unrecognized deaths, health problems to Maui, LA wildfires

NEW YORK (AP) -- The toll of wildfires is usually counted in acres burnt, property destroyed and lives lost to smoke and flames. But three studies published Wednesday suggest the cost to human health ... Read More