"Wildfire Smoke Linked to Thousands of Annual U.S. Deaths and Increased Cancer Incidence"

New research shows that exposure to wildfire smoke contributes to nearly 16,000 deaths each year in the U.S., with the number expected to rise to nearly 30,000 by the middle of the century due to human-driven climate change. The health consequences of breathing in wildfire smoke extend beyond the smoky days, leading to increased deaths from cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, kidney disease, and mental health issues. Despite the growing understanding of the health risks, the costs have not been factored into most policy decisions, and the overall annual economic cost of lives lost from wildfire smoke could reach $240 billion by 2050.