Wildfire smoke poses serious health risks, even far from the flames

This year’s fire season has been especially active in the Mountain West, with Colorado’s Western Slope seeing some of the worst smoke conditions. The Lee Fire in northwest Colorado, now the fifth-largest in state history, has burned more than 120,000 acres as of Aug. 13.

Combined with other large fires like the South Rim Fire near Montrose and the Turner Gulch Fire in Mesa County, smoke has traveled across the region, causing widespread poor air quality.

Joost de Gouw, a chemistry professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, says wildfire smoke is particularly harmful because it contains high levels of PM2.5—fine particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. “Wildfires are really rich in fine particles and therefore extra harmful,” he explained, noting that vehicles and other urban sources are more tightly regulated and produce fewer of these particles.

Wildfire smoke affects health differently from constant urban pollution because it comes in intense bursts. Research shows asthma inhaler sales spike when smoke blankets an area, and it can impact both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Even far from a fire, smoke can still be dangerous. While some toxic gases dissipate over time, others form harmful compounds like ozone. Fine particles linger for days, retaining much of their toxicity even after traveling hundreds of miles.

De Gouw warns that climate change is worsening the problem, erasing decades of air quality improvements in the U.S. due to the Clean Air Act. In the West, rising wildfire activity is driving up PM2.5 levels and reducing visibility again.

Another growing concern is urban wildfires, such as the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County, where burning homes and cars released toxins from plastics, roofing, and furniture. “The toxics are actually more abundant when you burn plastics and building materials than when you burn vegetation,” de Gouw said, adding that this is now a major focus of his research.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.

Katie Baylett

Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.