Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Reached Europe, Killing Tens of Thousands
- Rob Beeson
- Sep 11
- 1 min read
New research has revealed the global health impacts of the record-breaking wildfires that swept through Canada in 2023.
Scientists found that smoke from these fires increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) worldwide by an average of 0.17 micrograms per cubic metre. In Canada itself, exposure rose by almost 4 micrograms per cubic metre, while the United States saw an increase of 1.5 – four times higher than from its own wildfires that year.
What is striking is how far the smoke travelled. Europe saw an increase of 0.41 micrograms per cubic metre, carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic. In total, 354 million people in North America and Europe were exposed to harmful daily pollution levels linked to these fires.
The health consequences were severe. The study estimates 5,400 acute deaths in North America and 64,300 (37,800–90,900) chronic deaths across North America and Europe can be linked directly to the fine smoke particles from these fires.
For those who live and work on moorland, this evidence is a stark reminder that uncontrolled wildfires do not just damage landscapes and wildlife at home. Their impacts reach across borders, affecting health, livelihoods and communities far beyond the fire front.
Takeaway: Preventing large-scale wildfires through responsible land management is not only vital for protecting moors, but also for safeguarding people’s health at home and abroad.
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