Why Does Wildfire Smoke Smell Like Burning Plastic and Chemicals? And How to Protect Yourself.

Have you noticed a burning plastic and chemical smell in wildfire smoke lately? If so, you’re not alone: Since the year began, major wildfires have burned millions of acres of land across five continents—Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America—polluting the air of hundreds of millions of people around the world. While wildfires themselves are a natural phenomenon, today’s wildfires are growing in destructiveness, intensity, and number as they are fueled by a growing wildland–urban interface, warming climate, and widespread use of flammable and toxic plastic in our built environment. We should all pay attention, as plastics-fueled wildfires are a serious threat to our health.