Wildfires as a Climate Hazard for Health
This summary is part of the NAM’s “Communicating About Climate Change and Health” project. The project aims to support health providers and other communicators in sharing actionable information with patients and the public.
Health Impacts of Wildfires
Environmental conditions related to climate change, such as extended drought, low humidity, rising temperatures, and lack of moisture in forest debris can increase the risk of wildfires. Residents of the Western United States are particularly at risk for health hazards associated with these fires. Beyond direct injuries from wildfires, exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with a range of respiratory conditions, reduced lung function, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and premature death. For pregnant women, exposure may increase the risk of preterm birth. Long-term exposure may increase the risk of lung and brain cancer. Further, smoke from wildfires can travel thousands of miles, impacting sensitive groups across the country.
In addition to impacts on physical health, wildfires may lead to forced relocation and job loss, increase mental health issues, and cause an overall decline in psychosocial wellbeing. Everyone should be aware of the health risks from wildfires, even people living in regions that are not prone to fires.
Case Example
Impact of the 2023 Wildfires in Maui, Hawaii
On August 8, 2023, wildfires driven by strong winds devastated the island of Maui. These became some of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in the last 100 years—killing more than 100 people. There was an estimated $5.5 billion in damage, with 1,040 hectares burned and 2,200 structures destroyed. The fires were particularly damaging due to what is known as the "wildland-urban interface," where people live in close proximity to the natural environment.
The public health emergency on the island of Maui was intensified by toxic chemicals from the fire being released in the air, contaminating the water supply, and building up in the ash and debris on the ground. Residents lost power from the strong winds and fire knocking down power lines. The ongoing drought they had experienced meant the water supply was limited to begin with, and without reliable power, firefighters were unable to pump water. We can learn from the devastation of the Maui fires to prepare for future climate emergencies in high-risk areas and take preventive action steps.
Steps to Protect Your Health
Children, older people, pregnant women, people with pre-existing health conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD, heart disease, lung cancer), farmworkers and other outdoor workers, and people experiencing homelessness are most at risk from the health impacts of wildfires. It is a good idea to talk to your health provider if you fall into one of these groups so that you can learn how to protect your health. If you live in a high-fire-risk area, make sure you are prepared for emergency situations: pack a bag filled with essential items; stock up on food, water, and necessary medications; and make sure you have portable electric power for any medical devices or equipment should you need to evacuate.
You can stay aware of the air quality index for your area using tools that aggregate real-time data. For example, airnow.gov is a collaboration across government agencies to provide current air quality levels and forecasts, as well as alerts about high fire risk or active fires nearby. With the correct information, you can steps to protect yourself (e.g., avoiding outdoor activities or wearing a mask on days when the air quality is poor). This is especially important for people living with asthma, COPD, or other chronic respiratory diseases.
When air quality is poor, stay indoors and keep the windows to your house and car closed. You can tuck damp towels along windows and doors to block outdoor air from getting in. Wildfire smoke can cause hazardous indoor pollution even when doors and windows are closed. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can help by removing airborne particles. It is worth checking with your state and local government as some states, such as California, provide air filters for free if you qualify.
Mitigation Strategies
In addition to protecting your own health, there are steps that can be taken to prevent wildfires and lessen their effects in your community. As a resident, you can do things like cleaning up any leaves or pine needles in your yard, clearing dead trees and other vegetation around your home, and avoiding outdoor fires when environmental conditions are right for wildfires. You can also work with your community to ensure that certain mitigation steps are taken more collectively. This may look like supporting smart community planning, enforcing zoning laws, building fireproof structures, making sure buildings are up to code, and supporting controlled prescribed burns.
References and Related Resources
- Wildfire climate connection (NOAA, 2023)
- Medical Alert! Climate Change Is Harming Our Health (Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health, 2024)
- Long-term exposure to wildland fire smoke PM2.5 and mortality in the contiguous United States (Ma et al., 2024)
- Focus on Western Wildfires (Fifth National Climate Assessment, 2023)
- Policy Brief for the United States of America (Lancet Countdown, 2023)
- Water Supply and Firefighting: Early Lessons from the 2023 Maui Fires (Sowby and Porter, 2024)
- Maui Wildfire Disaster Update (County of Maui, 2023)
- How to communicate about climate change with patients (Kotcher et al., 2024)
- Protect Your Health During Wildfires (ALA, APHA, ASPPH, NACCHO, NEHA, AARC, n.d.)
DISCLAIMER: The information on this webpage is for general informational purposes only and should be not considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
This webpage summarizes available research on the health impacts of wildfires and mitigation strategies. The content was reviewed for accuracy by members of the expert committee on Communicating About Climate Change and Health. The summary is intended to help inform and stimulate discussion. It is not a report of the National Academy of Medicine or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Last updated April 10, 2025.
