Forest fire: How smoke damages health

Several forest fires have broken out in eastern Germany. The situation in the Gohrischheide forest on the border between Saxony and Brandenburg is becoming increasingly serious. Strong winds and munitions-contaminated soil are making firefighting more difficult. A disaster alert has been issued for three communities. The fire broke out on Tuesday near a former military training area.

Flames have also spread to southern Thuringia. Since Wednesday, fire departments and other emergency services from across the state have been working nonstop on the Saalfelder Höhe near Gösseldorf (city of Saalfeld/Saale). There is no reason to sound the all-clear so far, according to local officials. The authorities have declared a state of emergency.

The smoke produced by large fires and wildfires is dangerous to humans in several ways. It contains large amounts of particulate matter, i.e., solid and liquid particles released during combustion processes that can spread through the air over long distances. Many of the particles in the smoke are no larger than one-third the diameter of a hair, according to the American Lung Association . They are therefore invisible to the human eye.

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Depending on the size of the particles, they can penetrate different parts of the body. The smallest ones reach the lung tissue and the bloodstream, explains the Federal Environment Agency . Accordingly, they can cause mucous membrane irritation, inflammation in the trachea, bronchi, or alveoli, and even thrombosis – i.e., clots that block the bloodstream. Cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks can also result. Vulnerable individuals such as small children, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly at risk.

Another danger is the gases released during wildfires, including carbon monoxide. It is undetectable to humans because it is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. According to the American Lung Association, this gas is most commonly found during the smoldering phase and in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous respiratory poison that can lead to death by suffocation, warns the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment . If inhaled, it binds to the blood pigment hemoglobin, preventing organs and tissues from receiving oxygen. The first signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness. The higher the concentration of the gas, the more deadly it becomes for humans.

"Due to the rapid distribution of particles and gases in the atmosphere, acute smoke poisoning, which often occurs near the fire, is rather rare in forest and bush fires," says the Federal Environment Agency , "but can still occur." Diseases of the respiratory tract or cardiovascular system are far more common as a result of the high air pollution caused by the forest fires.

The smoke can also cause eye and skin irritation. In connection with the 2018 California wildfires, a team of researchers demonstrated that more people visited dermatologists for eczema or psoriasis. "This suggests that with the increase in wildfires, the number of people requiring treatment for environmentally-related skin conditions may increase," the American Academy of Dermatology quotes dermatologist Maria Wei of the University of California, who participated in the study.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs for short, also pose a problem in forest fires. They are formed when organic material burns. They can enter the human body through food, skin, or respiration, where they can alter the genetic makeup of cells. They are also proven carcinogenic and have a negative impact on fertility, warns the Federal Environment Agency.

To protect yourself from the dangers of fire smog, it's important to spend as little time outdoors as possible – and if you do, ideally wear a respirator. People at risk, such as those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses, should stay home as a precaution during periods of heavy smoke and securely close windows and doors. The same applies to small children and infants: They, too, should stay indoors rather than outdoors.

Whether in the car or at home, air conditioning and ventilation systems should be turned off when large amounts of fire smog are present. The air coming in from outside through the systems is contaminated with particulate matter and various gases.

Also important: Avoid the fire site at all costs. Anyone directly exposed to the flames and radiant heat risks burns, injuries, or even heatstroke. This can be life-threatening.

with material from dpa

We last updated this article on July 3, 2025.