Leda Kobziar, a fire ecologist from the University of Idaho, joins the discussion to shed light on the unexpected effects of wildfires. She tackles the complex relationship between smoke, fungi, and human health, especially concerning recent outbreaks among burn patients. Leda reveals how smoke harbors microorganisms that influence both ecology and human biology. The conversation also delves into fire's dual role in nature – as a destroyer and a facilitator of life, challenging our perceptions of what smoke truly contains.