UN: Wildfire smoke causes 100,000 additional annual deaths

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations agency, reports that toxic smoke from wildfires caused an estimated 100,000 additional deaths annually between 2010 and 2018. The organization noted that severe smoke incidents have tripled since the 1990s, warning that the actual mortality rate likely exceeds current estimates.

As many nations successfully reduce industrial and transport emissions, wildfires have emerged as an increasingly significant source of atmospheric pollution. The report highlights the growing impact of fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

In 2025, particulate levels exceeded normal rates in parts of northern Canada, Russia, and western and central Africa due to increased fire activity. Additionally, northwestern Spain experienced high pollution levels following intense wildfires in late summer. The UN has called for enhanced monitoring of pollutants, including black carbon and microplastics, noting that current oversight remains insufficient.