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

Building debris scattered across a neighborhood after Hurricane Dorian

On the ground in disaster's wake

DEOHS researcher Nicole Errett says disasters offer lessons on how to prepare, respond and recover from future extreme events—if you move fast

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Three people stand in a gym near a whiteboard on a wall decorated with Native American art.

Making breathing room

Clean air shelters offer refuge from wildfire smoke. DEOHS is helping one NW tribe identify the best place to create one

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A group of students and faculty pose for a photo.

Award-winning students

DEOHS students recognized for their research at the National Environmental Health Association conference

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Woman smiling at camera.

Measuring the toll of wildfires

UW student-athlete goes deep inside communities affected by wildfire smoke to understand the health risks

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Woman smiling at camera.

Omenn award winner

DEOHS student Annie Doubleday honored by the UW School of Public Health for her leadership potential and public health contributions

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A group of people stand on a street wearing air masks and taking video on their cellphones.

Clearing the air

Public health experts and climate researchers convene to address communication challenges related to wildfire smoke

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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