UN warns wildfire smoke causes 100,000 additional deaths annually
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- UN weather agency says toxic wildfire smoke was linked to an estimated 100,000 additional deaths annually between 2010 and 2018.
- The UN warns that wildfire pollution is worsening as fires become more frequent and heatwaves intensify.
Toxic smoke from wildfires contributed to an estimated 100,000 additional deaths each year between 2010 and 2018, according to the World Meteorological Organization, a UN agency.
In a new report, the organization warned that wildfire pollution is undermining global efforts to improve air quality as increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves create conditions that fuel fires.
The World Meteorological Organization said the number of wildfires has tripled over the past 30 years, increasing exposure to fine particles and other hazardous pollutants.
In 2025, unusually high levels of fine particulate matter were recorded across northern Canada, parts of Russia, and western and central Africa. Northwestern Spain also became a major hotspot for severe air pollution linked to wildfires.
The organization warned that the actual number of deaths associated with wildfire smoke could be higher than current estimates, given gaps in monitoring and data collection.
The UN agency called for stronger monitoring of wildfire-related emissions, including black carbon and microplastics, as governments face growing pressure to address the health impacts of climate change.
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter that can travel long distances and penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The findings add to growing international concerns over the health consequences of a warming climate, with rising temperatures and prolonged dry conditions contributing to more frequent and severe wildfires in many parts of the world.
