Expert comment: How do wildfires affect health and what can be done about it?
For people living in the northern hemisphere, this summer has been beset by deadly wildfires across parts of Europe, the U.S. and Canada. In the U.K., more than 21,000 hectares (52,000 acres) had already burned by late July 2026 across 66 fires larger than 30 hectares (74 acres), while England and Wales recorded their driest July in nearly two centuries and many areas moved into official drought.
As deadly wildfires continue to ravage parts of Europe, the U.S. and Canada, experts warn of the extensive health impacts these infernos pose. Dr. Kamal Jyoti Maji, a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, explains that the dangers extend far beyond the immediate threat of flames and smoke inhalation.
Immediate threats include injury, death, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and disruption of healthcare services during evacuations. However, the primary public health concern lies in the inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other combustion pollutants released by wildfires. These microscopic particles can travel great distances, impacting air quality far beyond the fire's immediate vicinity.
PM2.5 has been linked to various respiratory and cardiovascular issues, hospital admissions, and premature death. Global analyses estimate that landscape-fire-related PM2.5 contributes to significant excess mortality each year. When combined with heat waves and drought conditions, which are also prevalent this summer, the health burden becomes even more severe.
Wildfires can also trigger a cascade of psychological effects, such as anxiety, trauma, and a sense of loss. These mental health impacts are particularly relevant for those enduring recurrent fire seasons. Smoke from urban areas can become even more toxic as it mixes with existing pollutants and reacts chemically with sunlight, generating secondary pollutants like ground-level ozone and secondary organic aerosols.
The toxic particles produced by wildfire smoke can linger in the atmosphere for days to weeks, traveling thousands of kilometers downwind of the fire. Southern and Western Europe's current fires are creating plumes that may affect air quality well beyond the countries where the fires are burning. In fact, a 2025 study found that smoke from 2023 Canadian wildfires raised PM2.5 levels in Europe to dangerous levels, potentially causing 22,400 premature deaths in the region.
Certain populations are more vulnerable to wildfire smoke's effects. Children, older adults, and individuals with preexisting health conditions like asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular disease face greater risks. Pregnant women and outdoor workers, including firefighters, are also particularly susceptible. Vulnerability may also extend to lower-income households, outdoor workers, and nursing home residents.
Climate projections suggest that the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfire events will increase in many European regions in the coming decades. These changes, coupled with shifting vegetation and land use patterns, are expanding the areas at risk from wildfires and intensifying their impacts.
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