Fire-related air pollution claims about 1.5 million lives each year across the globe. The toll lands hardest in low- and middle-income nations where health services are routinely stretched. A recent global assessment describes how smoke from fires harms millions, touching both rural homes and city streets. Rural households that rely on biomass for cooking and heating face repeated exposure during fire seasons, and farms and towns contend with drifting smoke that crosses borders and disrupts daily life.
About 450,000 deaths each year come from cardiovascular diseases linked to fire smoke, while roughly 220,000 deaths stem from respiratory illnesses caused by the same exposure. When combined, uncontained fires and planned burns, including agricultural fires, drive about 1.5 million deaths annually.
More than 90 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly 40 percent concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. China also shows up as a major contributor to the toll in recent years.
Experts warn that the death toll could rise as climate change lengthens fire seasons and amplifies the strength of smoke plumes.
Researchers stress that these fires contribute little to warming on their own, yet the health impact hits hardest in poorer communities. People in these regions often lack protective gear such as masks and air purifiers, and many have limited ability to evacuate when fires flare.
Against this backdrop, Ecuador has declared a state of emergency as forest fires scorch large tracts of land, destroying more than 10,000 hectares and prompting calls to protect nature and local ecosystems.
Earlier efforts produced the first global maps of climate hazards, a start that helped scientists identify where exposures are rising and where communities need stronger protections.
Across North America, extended wildfire seasons bring smoke into urban air, triggering health warnings, school closures, and advisories for vulnerable groups. Public health agencies race to provide guidance on air quality, indoor safety, and evacuation planning.
The overall picture shows a health risk linked to smoke from fires that falls hardest on those with the fewest resources. Public health strategies in both high- and low-income regions emphasize clean air, access to masks and filtration, and urban planning that reduces exposure.
Policy makers and researchers continue to map hazards and track the health burden, with a growing focus on prevention, rapid response, and community resilience. The surge in fire activity linked to climate trends makes early action essential for protecting communities and ecosystems.