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The harmful impacts of wildfire smoke are worse than previously believed

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom
Published January 7, 2026 at 8:54 AM PST
A person sits on a bench as a plume of smoke rises from the Palisades Fire, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. (John Locher/AP)
John Locher/AP
A person sits on a bench as a plume of smoke rises from the Palisades Fire, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. (John Locher/AP)

Scientists are learning more about the harms of wildfire smoke on human health.

Grist senior staff writer Matt Simon joins Here & Now‘s Indira Lakshmanan to discuss recent data showing how emissions, burned areas and harmful health impacts from wildfire smoke are more widespread than previously believed.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR
Here & Now Newsroom