Wildfires have become more frequent and prevalent. While most are removed from the fire itself, the resultant smoke can travel hundreds of kilometers, affecting humans and animals far from the fires. Wildfire smoke exposure, even when mild and transient, elicited measurable physiological and immunological responses in calves, including increased cortisol, ceruloplasmin, immunoglobulins, and cytokines coupled with clinical signs such as nasal discharge. These findings demonstrate that wildfire smoke inhalation acts as an environmental stressor capable of triggering systemic and mucosal immune activation in cattle. Understanding these responses is essential, as it may compromise animal health and productivity under increasing wildfire frequency. Results highlight the need for proactive management strategies, such as early monitoring of air quality, timely health assessments, and mitigation practices to minimize the negative impacts of smoke exposure on livestock health, welfare, and performance.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.