Smoke from Wildfires: New Evidence on Health Risks and Why Fire Type Matters
- Rob Beeson
- Sep 3
- 1 min read
A new study from Nevada, USA, has found that smoke from wildland fires can lead to increased hospital visits for breathing and heart problems - and the type of fire makes a difference.
Researchers looked at over 7 years of data on emergency room visits during fire seasons in the Reno/Sparks area and matched them with detailed measurements of smoke pollution (PM2.5 – tiny particles that can enter the lungs).
Here’s what they found:
A 10 µg/m³ rise in smoke pollution was linked to a 6.6% increase in asthma-related visits within five days.
Forest fires were most likely to trigger asthma attacks, while shrubland fires were more often linked to heart rhythm issues.
Smoke from high-intensity fires had a stronger effect on breathing problems, while lower-intensity fires had more impact on the heart.
This is one of the first studies to show that not all wildfire smoke is the same - the fuel and intensity of the fire affect how dangerous the smoke is to public health.
For those managing moorlands in the UK, the message is clear: well-planned, low-intensity burns - such as those traditionally used on heather moorland - are less likely to produce the dangerous smoke seen in large, uncontrolled wildfires.
Takeaway: This research strengthens the case for traditional controlled burning as a safer, more responsible land management tool - helping to reduce the risk of intense wildfires and their health impacts.
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