Campaigners are calling for immediate public health warnings after wildfire smoke blanketed parts of Greater Manchester, with air pollution levels recorded at up to 13 times the World Health Organization’s daily guideline.
Families across the region were left without clear advice on how to protect themselves as smoke from nearby wildfires drifted across neighbourhoods, prompting concerns that vulnerable people, including children and older residents, were exposed to hazardous levels of pollution.
Liz Godfrey, Greater Manchester coordinator for Mums for Lungs said: ‘Families can see the smoke, they can smell it and they can taste it. Parents are understandably worried about their children breathing this air, yet there has been no obvious public health warning telling people how to protect themselves from the health effects of wildfire smoke. Why are Greater Manchester residents not being warned?’
Using a handheld AtmoPro air quality monitor, campaigners recorded a PM2.5 reading of 196 µg/m³ in Didsbury at 11.20am. Although the reading was an instantaneous measurement rather than a 24-hour average, it was around 13 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour limit of 15 µg/m³, highlighting the severity of the smoke pollution.
Residents reported smoky skies, reduced visibility and the smell of burning vegetation across parts of Greater Manchester as the wildfires continued to burn.
Despite the deteriorating air quality, campaigners say there was no coordinated public health messaging advising people to stay indoors, reduce outdoor activity or take extra precautions to protect vulnerable family members.
They also questioned why Defra’s online air pollution information continued to indicate ‘low’ pollution levels while smoke was clearly affecting communities across the region.
Dr Louise Turnbull, a Paediatric Respiratory Medicine Consultant said: ‘Wildfire smoke… exposure can worsen asthma and other lung diseases, trigger heart problems and cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with existing heart or respiratory conditions are at greatest risk. During periods of heavy smoke, people should stay indoors where possible, keep windows and doors closed, avoid strenuous outdoor exercise and follow public health advice.’
The campaign group said the incident exposed significant gaps in Greater Manchester’s response to severe air pollution episodes and warned that schools had received no dedicated alerts to help minimise children’s exposure.
Godfrey continued: ‘We are calling on local and national leaders to visit the sites of the wildfires and convene an emergency meeting today with public health leaders, the fire service and local councils to coordinate a response.
‘Residents need clear health advice, schools need guidance, and vulnerable people deserve timely warnings when air pollution reaches hazardous levels. The Prime Minister must make tackling air pollution and the climate crisis a priority, as rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves increase the risks facing communities across the UK’
The group is also urging people to avoid burning wood or garden waste while air pollution levels remain elevated.
Rebecca from Parents for Future, Manchester said: ‘Today’s smoke isn’t just the result of a fire on the moors – it is a glimpse of the future if we fail to tackle climate change and prepare our communities. As our climate warms, extreme heat and prolonged dry spells are becoming more common, creating the conditions for larger, more frequent wildfires. Greater Manchester needs a wildfire smoke action plan before the next emergency, not after it.’
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