WMO warns on fires and heatwaves
The World Meteorological Organization warns that wildfires and increasing heatwaves threaten air quality and human health, especially as the impacts of climate change intensify. The report explains that wildfires have become an increasingly significant source of dangerous pollution, with rising levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, which heighten the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It also notes that heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, particularly in Spain, France, and Greece, have become more frequent and severe, and that the growing activity of fires has contributed to higher levels of air pollution worldwide since the 1990s, resulting in approximately 100,000 additional deaths annually between 2010 and 2018. The report emphasizes the urgent need to improve pollutant monitoring and address fire-related pollution, as smoke particles contain toxic chemicals that significantly harm health.
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