Protecting Public Health in the Face of Increasing Wildland Fire Smoke

This is an invited presentation to the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. This presentation provides an overview of the current landscape of wildland fire smoke and the health risks it poses to the general population, and specifically children. Additionally, the presentation discusses the actions and interventions individuals and communities can take to reduce smoke exposures and subsequently protect public health. 

Impact/Purpose

Invited presentation to the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. This task force is comprised of representatives from agencies across the federal government. This presentation on wildland fire smoke will provide an overview of current trends, health risks associated with smoke exposure, and the actions and interventions that can be taken to reduce smoke exposure and protect public health. The growing frequency of wildland fire smoke is having large national implications on public health and this presentation will provide other federal agencies an understanding of the situation and what can be done to protect children's health. 

Citation

Sacks, J. AND S. Coefield. Protecting Public Health in the Face of Increasing Wildland Fire Smoke. President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, Washington, DC, September 18, 2025.