Chicago — In response to increasingly frequent and intense wildfires across the country, the American Medical Association has adopted a policy aimed at protecting wildland firefighters from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.
Data from the National Interagency Fire Center shows that, as of June 25, more than 35,000 wildfires have burned over 2.9 million acres across the United States in 2026.
Announced at AMA’s annual Meeting of the House of Delegates on June 10, the policy supports the development, dissemination and implementation of voluntary post-wildfire screening protocols for wildland firefighters and others exposed to wildfire smoke. The association recommends that the screenings cover heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other toxic substances and dangerous air pollutants.
AMA says it will support federal and state efforts, in partnership with public health and environmental agencies, to ensure access to environmental monitoring, mobile health services, medical follow-up and treatment for individuals exposed to toxic substances during or after wildfires.
“Being exposed to wildfire can cause adverse, long-term health complications for people who live in areas impacted by wildfires and the brave firefighters, first responders, cleanup workers and utility crews that are exposed to harmful smoke during and after fires,” Bobby Mukkamala, immediate past president of AMA, said in a press release. “We must do everything we can to advocate for their safety and well-being.”
