Wildfires are often seen as a danger only for people living close to the flames but wildfire smoke can travel across regions, countries and even continents, worsening the air quality of down-wind communities with both physical and psychological impacts, including for people who live far from the fire itself. In a changing climate, the risk of wildfires is increasing; the huge fires in the WHO European Region and beyond this summer are a reminder that the dangers of wildfires come not only from the flames but also from smoke.

Wildfires are often seen as a danger only for people living close to the flames but wildfire smoke can travel across regions, countries and even continents, worsening the air…

As devastating wildfires continue to rage across Europe, millions of holidaymakers face an invisible threat in the form of hazardous air pollution.