Recent wildfire events have exposed persistent gaps in how health systems and public health agencies prepare for, respond to, and recover from these incidents. A more coordinated, visible, and sustained national conversation is needed to connect these efforts, raise awareness, and accelerate practical solutions that protect health before, during, and after wildfire events.

The purpose of this webinar series is to elevate understanding of the health impacts of wildfires across the full disaster cycle and to foster a more integrated, health-centered conversation at a national level. Through a series of publicly accessible discussions, the webinars will examine how wildfire risk affects individual and community health, health care delivery, and public health systems, with particular attention to prevention and preparedness, acute response, and long-term recovery. The series is designed to highlight emerging evidence, share real-world experiences, and explore practical approaches to protecting health in the context of increasing wildfire risk. Discussions will focus on key issues such as smoke exposure and air quality, continuity of care, protection of vulnerable populations, behavioral health impacts, and the longer-term health consequences of displacement and recovery. Rather than producing formal recommendations, the series will aim to raise awareness, connect perspectives across sectors and disciplines, and identify key challenges and opportunities for strengthening health-focused wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery.