Your Home Survived the Fire—But Is It Safe?

As of April 2025, 16,380 wildfires scorched over 800,000 acres of land in the United States alone. U.S. Forest Service scientists discovered that wildfire season is getting longer, beginning in early spring and extending into late autumn. From 2001-2023, the same group reported a substantial 60% increase in global carbon emissions driven by wildfire activity.

By studying data over the past 20 years, NASA scientists discovered that 'extreme wildfires have become more frequent, more intense, and larger.' The most substantial increase in wildfire activity was observed in the boreal forests of northern America and the conifer forests in the west, affecting rural, urban, and suburban communities throughout the country.

The wildfire threat remains at an all-time high, and millions of Americans have already felt the impact. Emerging research reveals the hidden dangers lurking within the aftermath of scorched communities. Areas that may seem safe following wildfire extermination are now grappling with long-term health risks that linger long after the flames die out.

Toxic Dangers Lurking in Homes After Wildfires

Joseph Allen, director of the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program, said, “There’s a general misperception that after the flames go out, the hazard has gone away.”