Urban wildfires are turning toxic smoke into a national health challenge

Wildfires are no longer confined to forests; expanding suburban development into wildland–urban interfaces means cities face smoke that contains plastics, metals, PFAS and other urban pollutants. Emerging research links long-term health risks—from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory issues—to chronic exposure, including epigenetic changes seen in firefighters. As the wildland–urban interface grows—now surrounding a large share of US homes—air quality and indoor safety deteriorate, and toxic smoke can linger long after fires die down.