Miraglia, Simone Georges El KhouriDebone, DanielaRibeiro, Clara LopesBarbosa, Rui MoreiraTavella, Ronan AdlerSilva‑Júnior, Flavio Manoel Rodrigues daSilva, Manuela Vieira daFreitas, Marisa Alexandra MarquesVieira da Silva, ManuelaFreitas, Marisa2025-10-212025-10-212025-05-03Miraglia, S. G. E. K., Debone, D., Ribeiro, C. L., Barbosa, R. M., Tavella, R. A., da Silva-Júnior, F. M. R., da Silva, M. V., & Freitas, M. A. M. (2025). A population under smoke: Fire events trigger severe air pollution in Portugal. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(21), 12945–12949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36481-60944-1344http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/30665Our short communication aims to shed light on the critical health implications of the severe forest fires that occurred in Portugal in September 2024, highlighting the immediate surge in hospitalizations, the increase in mortality rates, and the long-term consequences for public health. Additionally, we emphasize the urgent need for updated public policies and air quality management strategies to effectively mitigate such crises in the future.engForest firesAir pollutionPublic healthAir quality managementClimate crisisresearch article10.1007/s11356-025-36481-61614-7499