Document resource
Wildfires have become one of the most visible and destructive manifestations of climate change. 1–3 In 2023, over 17 million hectares of land burned across Canada, emitting more carbon than the country’s total annual emissions and triggering widespread evacuations, infrastructure damage aAd respiratory emergencies.4 In the USA, the 2024 fire season was similarly historic. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas was one of the largest in the history of USA, with smoke travelling hundreds of miles and impacting populations far removed from the fire perimeter. Schools were closed due to air quality alerts, emergency departments experienced surges in respiratory complaints and managing chronic illnesses became increasingly difficult for vulnerable populations.1 These events underscore that wildfires are not merely environmental incidents but a complex public health crisis that exposes and stresses healthcare, environmental and social systems. Systemic stressors demand a leadership response and guidance grounded in ecological governance and health equity.