Lancet report links rising wildfire smoke to increased deaths

A new report published in The Lancet reveals a significant increase in deaths associated with wildfire smoke in Canada and Ireland, driven by climate change.

In Canada, annual deaths linked to wildfire smoke averaged approximately 4,000 between 2021 and 2025, a substantial rise from the 1,050 annual deaths recorded between 2003 and 2012. Experts note that fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and other harmful substances released during fires can travel long distances, impacting populations far from the actual flames.

In Ireland, wildfire smoke-related deaths reached record levels in 2025 with 249 fatalities. The report noted that between 2021 and 2025, Ireland averaged 96 deaths annually from smoke, compared to 57 annually between 2003 and 2012. Additionally, 76 per cent of Ireland experienced at least one month of extreme drought in 2025.

Globally, the Lancet Countdown Global Report found that heat was linked to a record 710,000 deaths in 2023, with over 70 per cent attributed to human-caused climate change. The report also highlighted that extreme drought affected nearly 52 per cent of the world’s land for at least one month in 2025.