Archive · 7 Sep 2026
WMO Warns Heatwaves and Wildfires Are Worsening Air Quality
The World Meteorological Organization says climate change is making some air pollution problems worse.
Hotter and longer heatwaves can create more ground-level ozone, a gas that can hurt the lungs.
More severe wildfires also send smoke and tiny particles into the air.
These particles can travel far and may cause breathing problems and other health effects.
Very small particles called PM2.5 can enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
Soot from fires can land on snow and ice, making them absorb more sunlight and melt faster.
This creates a cycle in which warming causes more fires, and fires help increase warming.
The organization says air pollution and climate change should be tackled together.
Cutting fossil-fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions could help address both problems.
The World Meteorological Organization says wildfires and heatwaves are worsening air quality and increasing health risks worldwide.
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles linked to asthma attacks, COPD hospitalizations, respiratory medication use, mental-health effects and birth-outcome impacts.
A study cited by the WMO found that wildfires tripled since the 1990s and contributed to nearly 100,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2018.
Prolonged heatwaves increase ground-level ozone, which can inflame lung tissue and contribute to circulatory and heart problems.
The WMO says reducing fossil-fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions can improve air quality while addressing climate change.
- Who
- The World Meteorological Organization, with comments from scientific officer Lorenzo Labrador.
- What
- The WMO warned that worsening wildfires and heatwaves are damaging air quality and increasing public-health risks.
- When
- The report was discussed on September 7, 2026, and was published to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day of Clean Air.
- Where
- Worldwide, including regions affected by wildfire smoke and Europe, which experienced severe heatwaves.
- Why
- Climate change is intensifying fire-conducive weather and heatwaves, increasing wildfire smoke, ozone pollution and climate feedback effects.
- Reporting date
- September 7, 2026
- Reporting organization
- World Meteorological Organization
- Main pollutants
- Wildfire smoke, ground-level ozone, PM2.5 and black carbon
- Wildfire finding
- A study cited by the WMO linked a tripling of wildfires since the 1990s to nearly 100,000 deaths annually from 2010 to 2018.
- Ozone risk
- In heavily polluted regions, about one in five COPD deaths is attributed to long-term ozone exposure, according to the report.
- Climate feedback
- Soot deposited on snow and ice darkens surfaces, reduces reflectivity and accelerates melting.
- Recommended response
- The WMO advocates reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and fossil-fuel burning to address climate and air-quality problems together.