Wildfire Smoke Linked to Tens of Thousands of U.S. Deaths Annually

New study finds chronic exposure to wildfire pollution contributes to significant mortality nationwide.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A new study published in the journal Science Advances has found that chronic exposure to pollution from wildfires has been linked to an average of 24,100 deaths per year in the United States from 2006 to 2020. The researchers focused on the health impacts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke, which can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, exacerbating a range of health issues.

Why it matters

The study highlights the growing threat that wildfire smoke poses to public health, especially as climate change drives an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Researchers say this underscores the need for effective mitigation strategies and EPA regulation of wildfire-sourced pollution, which is currently not monitored or controlled like other sources of particulate matter.

The details

The study analyzed data across 3,068 counties in the lower 48 states, looking at the link between annual average exposure to PM2.5 from wildfire smoke and deaths from various causes. They found a statistically significant association between particulate exposure and increased mortality from circulatory, neurological, and respiratory diseases, as well as mental/behavioral disorders, tumors, and endocrine/metabolic diseases. The researchers estimate that for every 0.1 microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5, about 5,594 more people died each year.

  • The study examined data from 2006 to 2020.
  • Findings were published on February 5, 2026.

The players

Yaguang Wei

A study author and assistant professor in the department of environmental medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Michael Jerrett

A professor of environmental health science at the University of California, Los Angeles who was not involved in the study.

Min Zhang

A postdoctoral student at the Icahn School and a study author.

Kai Chen

An associate professor of environmental sciences at the Yale School of Public Health who has studied the health impacts of wildfire smoke.

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What they’re saying

“Our message is: Wildfire smoke is very dangerous. It is an increasing threat to human health.”

— Yaguang Wei, Study author and assistant professor

“The estimates they're coming up with are reasonable. We need more of them. It's only if we're doing multiple studies with many different designs that we gain scientific confidence of our outcomes.”

— Michael Jerrett, Professor of environmental health science

“Wildfire smoke PM2.5 has emerged as significant environmental hazard in the U.S., and it's driven by increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires due to climate change.”

— Min Zhang, Study author and postdoctoral student

“I really like that they examined both the smoke and nonsmoke PM2.5. Various research has found that PM2.5 from wildfire smoke has bigger health impacts than pollution from other sources, such as car emissions.”

— Kai Chen, Associate professor of environmental sciences

What’s next

Researchers say the findings underscore the need for the Environmental Protection Agency to begin monitoring and regulating wildfire-sourced particulate matter, which is currently not subject to the same controls as other sources of air pollution.

The takeaway

This study provides further evidence of the significant public health threat posed by worsening wildfires driven by climate change, with tens of thousands of premature deaths annually linked to chronic exposure to wildfire smoke pollution. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these risks through emissions reductions and improved air quality monitoring and regulation.