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In the wake of the devastating wildfire in Limassol last week, Cyprus was reminded once again that wildfires don’t just consume trees and homes—they affect the very air we breathe. While flames may be contained within a few square kilometers, their smoke can travel across entire regions, turning clear skies into hazy veils and transforming clean air into a health hazard. Wildfire smoke is more than just a nuisance—it’s a serious threat to public health, the environment, and our quality of life.
Wildfires and Air Pollution: A Hidden Crisis
When vegetation burns, it releases a complex mix of gases and particles into the atmosphere. Among the most concerning are fine particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Each plays a different role in degrading air quality—and affecting our health.
Fine particulate matter, especially PM2.5, is made up of microscopic particles small enough to enter deep into the lungs and even cross into the bloodstream. These particles are strongly linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma attacks, lung infections, heart conditions, and even premature death in vulnerable individuals. Wildfire smoke can raise PM2.5 concentrations far beyond safe levels, even in areas tens or hundreds of kilometers from the flames.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is another major pollutant emitted during biomass burning. Often referred to as a “silent killer,” CO binds to hemoglobin in the blood more effectively than oxygen, reducing the blood’s ability to transport oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. High concentrations of CO can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and in extreme cases, death—especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and VOCs emitted from fires are also problematic. Together, they react in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone—a harmful pollutant that irritates the lungs, reduces lung function, and can trigger asthma symptoms. Ozone pollution is often worse during hot summer days when fire conditions are already at their peak.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions are especially at risk, but during major fire events, even healthy adults can experience symptoms like coughing, eye irritation, throat discomfort, and shortness of breath.
Satellites Reveal the Smoke We Can’t See
Thanks to advances in Earth Observation technology, we can now track wildfire smoke and its chemical fingerprints across the atmosphere. Several satellite instruments monitor the air quality impacts of fires in near real time:
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The TROPOMI instrument onboard Sentinel-5P can detect carbon monoxide and identify plumes of smoke using the Absorbing Aerosol Index (AAI). This index is especially sensitive to black carbon and organic smoke particles and helps track the spread of fire-related air pollution.
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Instruments like IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) aboard METOP satellites measure CO concentrations in different layers of the atmosphere, helping scientists understand the vertical extent of smoke plumes.
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CAMS, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, integrates satellite data with atmospheric models to produce daily air quality forecasts for Europe. These models help visualize where smoke is likely to travel, how long it will persist, and which populations are at risk.
During the Limassol wildfire, elevated pollution levels were likely observed over large parts of southern Cyprus. In similar past events, CAMS forecasts and satellite-derived data have shown fire smoke reaching as far as Nicosia and beyond, carried by wind and shaped by the island’s unique topography.
From Observation to Protection
It’s not enough to observe the smoke—we need to act on what we learn. Public health authorities in Cyprus and across Europe are increasingly using satellite data and forecasts to issue air quality alerts. When air quality deteriorates due to wildfire smoke, simple actions can protect lives: staying indoors, avoiding physical activity outside, using HEPA filters or air purifiers, and following health advisories can significantly reduce exposure..
At the individual level, awareness is key. Apps and websites that display real-time air quality—such as the CAMS regional air quality forecast, the European Air Quality Index, or local meteorological services—can help people make informed decisions during wildfire events.
On a broader scale, integrating satellite data and CAMS forecasts into Cyprus’s civil protection and health response systems could provide earlier warnings and more targeted public guidance. With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, it’s essential that we strengthen our ability to monitor, forecast, and respond to their hidden impacts on our air.
In the end, wildfire smoke is a public health issue just as much as it is an environmental one. The more we understand it, the better we can protect ourselves—and the cleaner the future we can breathe.
Fun fact:
Every human inhales 14 kg of air each day, while drinking just 2 kg of water and eating 1.5 kg of food. Air is therefore an essential component for life, and most citizens are strongly preoccupied with its quality. With each breath, we inhale necessary oxygen, but also small amounts of potentially harmful gases and small particles. These constituents directly affect our health, even if we might not be aware of it. Research shows that adverse health effects do not only result from acute events but also from chronic exposure, reducing human life expectancy by more than eight months on average and by more than two years in the most polluted cities and regions worldwide.
Learn more about Air Quality: