How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Wildlife? - The National Wildlife Federation Blog

Have you noticed the summers getting smokier? If you’ve found yourself coughing more, seeing the sky tinged with an eerie orange, or even just catching the faint scent of burning in the air, you’re not alone. We all know that this smoke isn’t great for our human lungs, but have you ever stopped to wonder how it might impact our wildlife?Fire has always been a critical component of the Earth’s natural systems. Countless species and entire ecosystems, such as prairies, savannahs, and pine barrens, would not exist without it. Indigenous peoples have long understood this, using fire to enhance natural systems and produce food. However, this restorative relationship between fire and the environment has changed dramatically in recent decades.For example, in 2023, Alberta, Canada, was hit by over 650 wildfires, burning an area 150 times larger than the total area burned in the previous five years—over just a few short months. The smoke from these fires traveled thousands of miles, casting a h...