WMO: Wildfires, heatwaves harm air quality, health

Wildfires and heatwaves are posing a significant threat to global efforts to improve air quality and protect human health, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The United Nations weather and climate agency warned on Monday, September 7, 2026, that increasingly severe fires and prolonged heatwaves are generating microscopic airborne pollutants that risk undermining international health and environmental goals. The WMO report highlights the direct link between climate change and the escalating frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including wildfires and heatwaves. These events are leading to substantial increases in toxic smoke and other airborne particles, such as particulate matter PM2.5. This type of pollution, composed of particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing a serious health hazard. While regulations in regions like Europe and North America have successfully reduced emissions from industrial and transport sources, exposure to PM2.5 from wildfires has consequently risen.