Wildland Fire Research to Protect Health and the Environment
The west and other parts of the U.S. have experienced significant forest fires in recent years. These fires have been devastating to infrastructure, yet there is limited knowledge of the human health impacts of smoke emissions — both short term and long term. EPA is using its expertise in air quality research to fill the gaps in scientific information and to develop tools to reduce the impact of smoke from wildfires and controlled or prescribed burns.
Research activities include:
- Study health effects of smoke and evaluate potential solutions to reduce impacts
- Improve methods to measure smoke emissions, and improve models that predict smoke exposure
- Investigate effects of erosion from burned areas on water quality
- Identify and help protect susceptible human populations and ecosystems
- Evaluate communication strategies to find effective ways to reduce risks
Research Areas
Featured Research and Activities
- Partners Collaborate in Smoke-Ready Communities Research to Enhance Local Readiness for Wildfires
- Wildfire Study to Advance Science Partnerships for Indoor Reductions of Smoke Exposures (ASPIRE)
- How to Evaluate Air Sensors for Smoke Monitoring Applications Webinar Recording
- Study Shows Some Household Materials Burned in Wildfires Can be More Toxic Than Others
- Comparative Assessment of the Impacts of Prescribed Fire Versus Wildfire (CAIF): A Case Study in the Western U.S.
- Winners of the Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge Announced
- EPA Expands Air Monitoring Capabilities to Support Wildfire-Impacted States, Tribes and Their Frontline Firefighters
Publications and Other Science Resources
- Protecting Building Occupants From Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events
- Wildland Fire Research Framework 2019-2022
- Science Inventory Publications on Wildland Fire Research
- Science Matters Special Edition: Wildland Fire Science
- Key Links to Other Science Agencies and Organizations
- Web Summit Presentations: Clean Air Spaces - Indoor Air Filtration to Protect Public Health During Wildland Fire Smoke Episodes