As wildfires continue to rise across North America, the American Lung Association and Canadian Lung Association have renewed their collaboration for a second year. Their joint effort aims to raise awareness about the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, educate the public on protective measures, and promote strategies to reduce catastrophic wildfires.
Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are leading to more severe droughts, creating conditions that facilitate the ignition and spread of forest and grassland fires. Both Canada and the United States have seen an increase in wildfire frequency and intensity in recent years. The resulting smoke can travel vast distances, affecting air quality across borders.
In 2023, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season ever, impacting all 13 provinces and territories. Although 2024 saw fewer fires, it was still among the top six seasons in five decades. In the U.S., wildfires increased from 56,580 in 2023 to 64,897 in 2024, notably affecting areas not typically prone to severe wildfires such as Hawaii and parts of the Midwest and East Coast. This year has already seen significant fires in Southern California as well as Texas, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Florida, and South Carolina.
"Catastrophic wildfires are impacting the lung health of people in all parts of the U.S. and Canada," said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "We are not only seeing an increase in the frequency and devastating impact of fires but they are also dispersing dangerous smoke and particle pollution across a larger area."
Sarah Butson, CEO of the Canadian Lung Association added: "We often take the simple act of drawing a clean breath for granted. But when wildfire smoke reaches our communities sometimes we can’t even do that in our own homes."
Wildfire smoke poses serious health hazards due to tiny particles that can penetrate deep into lungs or enter the bloodstream—worsening chronic lung disease symptoms or triggering asthma attacks or heart events. Vulnerable groups include those with lung disease; Black Indigenous individuals; people of color; children; older adults; people experiencing poverty; pregnant individuals; outdoor workers.
Smoke may contain additional harmful components depending on what is burning—for example lead from burned houses—and contribute to unhealthy ozone levels which further harm lung health.
The American Lung Association along with its Canadian counterpart focus their efforts on three key areas aiming at protecting residents from harmful health impacts caused by wildfires.
For more information visit Lung.org (American Lung Association) or Lung.ca (Canadian Lung Association).
