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

A woman in a purple shirt smiles against an outdoor backdrop of trees and mountains.

Landing her dream job

2020 Outstanding Master’s student Kaitlyn Kelly credits her mentors with helping launch her career in environmental health

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Portrait of Alexa Yadama with trees in the background

Finding beauty in the details

This scholar and ultimate frisbee star is using science to protect people’s health

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A woman in a bike helmet looks out over a lake toward wildfire smoke in the distance

The odds of death from wildfire smoke

New UW study finds increase in risk of dying in the days after exposure to wildfire smoke

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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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In the news

DOGE canceled this UW scientist’s grant — to save just $866
May 10, 2025 | The Seattle Times | Featured: Elena Austin View

Exclusive: documents reveal how NIH will axe climate studies
May 8, 2025 | Nature | Featured: Kristie L. Ebi View

Research Spotlight: The Center for Health and the Global Environment
May 2, 2025 | The Daily | Featured: Jeremy J Hess, Kristie L. Ebi View

Pediatrician shares keys to reducing wildfire smoke exposure
May 1, 2025 | Environmental Factor | Featured: Catherine Karr View

Dementia and air pollution: Is there a link?
March 21, 2025 | Neurology Advisor | Featured: Coralynn Sack View