Also called: Forest Fire · Wildland Fire
Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
About Wildfires
Wildfires are fires that burn out of control in a natural area, like a forest, grassland, or prairie. They often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, and can damage natural resources, destroy homes, and threaten the safety of the public and firefighters.
Humans cause most wildfires. It can be an accident, like when people don't take care of their campfire properly, burn debris, or are careless when getting rid of their cigarettes. It can also be on purpose, which is called arson. Lightning and lava also can also cause wildfires. Wildfires are more common when conditions are dry. High winds can make them spread more quickly.
Although there are no guarantees of safety if you live in an area threatened by a wildfire, you can take actions to protect yourself. You should have a disaster plan. Being prepared can help reduce fear, anxiety, and losses. If you do experience a disaster, it is normal to feel stressed. You may need help in finding ways to cope.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
It sits within Disasters.
When to speak to someone. Reading about a topic cannot tell you whether it applies to you. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms are severe, sudden, getting worse, or simply not going away — and seek emergency care immediately for chest pain, breathing difficulty, sudden weakness or confusion, or a serious allergic reaction.
Research on Wildfires
9 studies areregistered for this condition on ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's public registry. A selection is below — the links go straight to the registry entry, not to a summary of ours.
What a registered study does and does not mean. Registration means a study exists and has been declared publicly. It says nothing about whether the treatment being tested works, is safe, or is available to you. Many studies find no benefit — that is what research is for. Never seek out an experimental treatment on the strength of a registry entry alone.
Research currently under way
- Laying the Foundation for Building a Resilient KPNC Community in the Face of Worsening Air Quality Due to Wildfire SmokeKaiser Permanente
- N95 Masks for Lung Health While Golfing During Wildfire SeasonUniversity of Saskatchewan
- Lungs on Fire: Wildfire Smoke, Incident Diseases, Susceptible Populations, and Community Values in CanadaUniversity of British Columbia
- Statins Against Bushfire SmokeMenzies Institute for Medical Research
- Learning and Living With Wildfire SmokeUniversity of Washington
Research already completed
- Wildfire Related Air Pollution Exposure and Cognitive Function Pilot StudyRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Promoting Risk Reduction Among Young Adults With Asthma During Wildfire Smoke Events (TRAK)Washington State University
- Feasibility and Efficacy of a Digital Mental Health Intervention for Teen Wildfire SurvivorsStanford University
Study data from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2026-07-30. Registry entries are supplied by study sponsors and investigators; ClinicalTrials.gov does not verify their scientific validity. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and not endorsed by, the NLM or the NIH.
Where to read more
Rather than paraphrase, we point you to the primary sources. Every link below is to a government health agency, a national institute or a recognised medical body — grouped by what you are trying to find out.
Start Here
- Wildfires and Your SafetyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Learn More
- AirNow.govEnvironmental Protection Agency
- Federal Emergency Management AgencyFederal Emergency Management Agency
- How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your BodyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Fire News -- Current WildfiresNational Interagency Fire Center
- Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and AshEnvironmental Protection Agency
- Safety Guidelines: After a WildfireCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
- Safety Guidelines: Wildfires and Wildfire SmokeCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
- Wildfire Smoke and Burning Eyes: 5 Ways to CopeAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
- WildfiresDepartment of Homeland Security
- WildfiresSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Wildfires: What Parents Need to KnowAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
Medical subject headings
Clinicians and researchers index this subject under Wildfires. These are the terms to use when searching medical literature.
This page is built from the MedlinePlus health topic record for Wildfires, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health. Information is from MedlinePlus.gov. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the NLM or the NIH. Retrieved 30 July 2026.