As wildfires rage uncontrollably across parts of Europe and North America this summer, the smoke they produce is traveling vast distances, crossing countries and continents, and exposing millions to harmful air pollution, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
WHO attributes the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires to climate change, prolonged heatwaves, drought, and changing land management practices. These factors create hotter, drier conditions that facilitate easier ignition and faster spread of fires.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles released when vegetation, buildings, and other materials burn. Fires that reach urban or industrial areas can emit additional toxic pollutants. A major concern is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks.
Communities far from active wildfires can experience poor air quality for days or weeks due to the smoke's extensive travel. Emergency responders and outdoor workers face heightened risks from prolonged exposure. The psychological impact of wildfires also contributes to stress, anxiety, and trauma during and after such emergencies.
Dorota Jarosinska of WHO's European Centre for Environment, Climate Change and Health advised, “When wildfires are present in your area, even if some distance away, follow instructions from your local authorities, who will have the most up to date, on-the-ground information.”
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