A study by Kaiser Permanente cardiology researchers linked wildfire smoke exposure to increased cardiovascular hospitalizations and mortality. Analysis of over 3 million adults during 2018 wildfires revealed that elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the Mendocino Complex fire correlated with a 23.1% rise in cardiovascular events and a 35.8% increase in death rates. Conversely, the Camp fire, despite producing denser smoke, did not significantly elevate these endpoints, possibly due to shorter duration. The findings reinforce the health risks posed by wildfire-related air pollution and its differential impact based on exposure characteristics.