New study links climate change to 15,000 deaths from wildfire pollution

CORVALLIS, Ore. — A recent study from Oregon State University has revealed alarming findings about the deadly impact of wildfire air pollution, attributing 15,000 deaths over the past 15 years to human-caused climate change. The research highlights that more than a third of these deaths have occurred since 2020.

Researchers explained that the warming climate is intensifying wildfires, which in turn release more fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. These particulates are so minuscule that they can be inhaled and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks.

The scientists estimate that during the study period a total of 164,000 deaths resulted from wildfire PM2.5, particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. They determined that 15,000 of those deaths were attributable to climate change – meaning that absent climate change, the total would have been 149,000.

The study warned as climate change worsens, that death toll will increase.

“Without efforts to address climate change, wildfires and associated fine particulate matter will continue to increase,” said Bev Law, professor emerita in the OSU College of Forestry and the study’s leader. “Projections of climate-driven wildfire PM2.5 across the continental U.S. point to at least a 50% increase in mortality from smoke by midcentury relative to the decade ending with 2020, with resulting annual damages of $244 billion.”

In addition to the tragic loss of life, the study estimates that the economic burden of this increase in fine particulate pollution amounts to $160 billion.