Wildland firefighters are willing to wear respirators and other protective breathing equipment despite concerns the devices could hinder their ability to fight fires safely, according to new research from UCLA.
The study, published in the journal Annals of Work Exposures and Health, comes as California faces an increasing number of wildfires that spread from open spaces into populated areas. The research surveyed firefighters across California who respond to wildland and wildland-urban interface fires.
"One of the key things that we found in our study is that firefighters were not fundamentally opposed to the idea of respiratory protection in wildland settings," said Dr. Rachael Jones, a co-author and professor at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. "They are all very well aware of the health hazards and want protection but have reasonable concerns about how respirators might impact the ability to perform their jobs safely."
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified occupational firefighting exposures as carcinogenic to humans in 2023. Wildland firefighters face exposure to particulate matter, toxic gases, metals and volatile organic compounds, among other hazardous materials.
Studies have documented declining respiratory function among wildland firefighters across shifts and fire seasons, as well as symptoms including coughing and eye irritation.
Jones said smoke contains known carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and formaldehyde, plus irritants like nitrogen dioxide and acrolein that affect the eyes, nose and respiratory tract.
"Many of the exposures to individual chemicals in smoke are below legal exposure limits for workers, but the mixture clearly poses a health risk," Jones said.
The UCLA researchers interviewed firefighters ranging from early-career personnel to fire chiefs from departments that respond to wildland fires. They found most participants supported using respiratory protective devices in specific scenarios such as mop-up operations and prescribed burns, though fewer endorsed their use during high-exertion tasks like cutting fire lines.
Firefighters expressed concerns that respirators could increase fatigue and reduce comfort, communication, mobility and situational awareness — all critical factors in dangerous firefighting conditions.
"The most important message is that firefighters want to be engaged in the development of improved respirators, and policies about how they will be used, so that they can be confident the devices will prevent exposure inhalation hazards — without increasing other risks on the job," Jones said.
The research was motivated by efforts from California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health to develop regulations requiring respiratory protection in at least some wildland firefighting contexts.
Jones said most firefighters preferred flexibility or guidance rather than prescriptive regulations and wanted input in developing any potential rules.
"Generally, regulations are most effective when they require a control that is practicable and supported by the workers being affected," Jones said. "The key to a successful regulation is giving firefighters an opportunity to try out the respirators so they feel comfortable and confident that they can do their jobs safely and effectively."
The study focused on air-purifying respirators and powered air-purifying respirators. Researchers concluded these devices can become standard equipment for wildland firefighters, particularly with state-level regulatory support.
While the research was not specifically related to the January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires, Jones noted that video footage from those fires showed firefighters engulfed in smoke without respiratory protection.
"I think the public may have been surprised by the footage of firefighters responding to the Palisades and Eaton fires — engulfed in smoke, but without any respiratory protection," Jones said.
The researchers identified resistance to change in the fire service as a potential barrier to adoption but said evidence of respirator effectiveness and usability, including training opportunities and design improvements, could facilitate the transition.
California's wildland firefighting involves multiple agencies, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection typically serving as lead agency. CAL FIRE has more than 12,000 full-time and seasonal personnel.
The study was supported by the University of California Office of the President Climate Action SEED Award.