Our estimated death toll for this year’s wildfires

North American wildfires have caused an estimated 1,400 acute deaths, 10-80 times more than Europe's 18 deaths.

The Economist used AI tools and mortality models from two academic studies to estimate the death toll.

Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5 particles, which increase risks of strokes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.

France's interior minister called it the country's largest civilian evacuation outside wartime, with 116,000 hectares burned.

Ontario, Canada, had a record fire season with almost 900 active fires since mid-July.