Wildfires pose increasing risks to animal welfare and human health

Increasingly severe wildfire seasons are creating complex challenges for both animal health and human well-being. According to the State of the World’s Animal Health 2026 report, wildfires are destroying habitats in biodiversity hotspots like the Pantanal and threatening livestock production and rural livelihoods globally. In 2025, an estimated 335 million hectares burned worldwide, a trend exacerbated by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which intensifies drought and extreme weather.

Beyond ecological damage, research from Harvard University suggests a link between wildfire smoke and increased cancer risks. A study published in The Laryngoscope indicates that inhaling smoke pollution, which contains high levels of PM2.5 particles, can increase the risk of head and neck cancers. The study found that smoke exposure increased cancer risk by 6 percent, rising to 41 percent for individuals exposed annually. Researchers noted that wildfire air pollution is significantly more hazardous than traffic fumes due to these microscopic cancer-causing particles.