Wildfire Smoke Caused 100,000 Annual Deaths, WMO Reports

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations agency, reported that toxic smoke from wildfires caused approximately 100,000 additional deaths annually between 2010 and 2018.

According to the WMO, the number of wildfires has tripled over the past 30 years.

A WMO report states: “Since the 1990s, the number of severe smoke events from fires worldwide has tripled, leading to an estimated 100,000 additional annual fatalities between 2010 and 2018 — though the true figure is very likely higher.”

Impact on Air Quality Efforts

WMO studies indicate that pollution from wildfires and recurrent extreme heatwaves may undermine global efforts to improve air quality.

The WMO report notes that wildfires have become an increasingly significant source of atmospheric pollution, even as many advanced countries have successfully reduced harmful emissions from industry and transport through environmental and climate regulatory measures.

The report highlights the growing impact of fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone — pollutants linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, and circulatory diseases.

Regional Smoke Extremes in 2025

The report documents that levels of these particles exceeded normal averages in 2025 across northern Canada, parts of Russia, and western and central Africa, driven by a sharp rise in fire frequency.

Northwestern Spain emerged as a hotspot for severe pollution following an intense and unprecedented wildfire wave in late summer 2025.

Call for Stronger Monitoring

The United Nations has called for enhanced monitoring of pollutants including black carbon (soot) and microplastics.

Report authors state that oversight of these substances remains insufficient despite their widespread presence in ambient air.