Global Report: Wildfires Raise Air Pollution Levels Dangerously

The World Meteorological Organization warned in a report released today, Friday, about the increasing impact of wildfires on air quality globally, noting that the frequency of these fires has alarmingly increased due to climate change, leading to worsening pollution levels in many parts of the world during 2024.

The report revealed that severe pollution hotspots have emerged in areas affected by massive fires, notably: the Amazon River basin, Canada, Siberia, and Central Africa, where flames have released huge amounts of fine particulate matter into the air, which are harmful pollutants to health.

These findings come at a time when the World Health Organization confirms that ambient air pollution causes about 4.5 million premature deaths annually, making this issue a global health and environmental priority.

The meteorological report added that climate change is reshaping weather patterns, making wildfires more frequent and widespread, alongside other pollution sources such as burning coal, oil, gas, and wood, as well as the transportation and agriculture sectors.

In an official statement, the organization clarified that:

"Wildfires have become a major contributor to particulate pollution, and as temperatures continue to rise, this problem is expected to intensify, posing increasing risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health".

Although the report covers developments in 2024, the organization also noted that the record wildfires that broke out in Southern Europe during 2025 contributed to worsening air pollution across the European continent.