Partnering to Address Health Risks and Expand Communication Before and During Prescribed Fires
November 19, 2025 | Kerry Wyss, Ali Aslam
Prescribed fires are a land management tool used to help maintain forest health by not only returning nutrients to the soil and reducing buildup of unwanted fuels, but also potentially reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires and the resulting large volume of smoke emitted. USDA and the Forest Service have a long-term plan to increase the pace and scale of prescribed fire across the country to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. This means that some areas of the country may experience an increase in prescribed fire, and the subsequent smoke, that they have not historically experienced. While smoke can negatively impact public health, the planned nature of prescribed burning presents an opportunity to prepare individuals and communities for reducing smoke exposure — especially those at-risk of experiencing health effects.
To better understand the connected partners involved in responding to wildland fire (i.e., wildfire and prescribed fire), ASTHO held a focus group in March 2025 targeting environment and health agency staff, as well as others involved in wildland fire response at the state level. The group focused on reinforcing partnerships across state agencies and other stakeholders, designing strategies for minimizing smoke exposure through timely and effective communication with communities, and long-term planning for safe prescribed burns with minimal smoke exposure. Read the full report to learn how state agencies are preparing for increased smoke.