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Background The short-term effects of smoke inhalation have been little studied in European wildland firefighters, especially in an intra-individual design. Our purpose is to study the spirometric changes from the early stage during a wildland fire season and to compare smokers and non-smokers. Methods A population of 108 firefighters from a Civil Security Unit, based in Corsica, was tested immediately after having been exposed to the smoke of coniferous trees. Results Out of 108 people, 59 were smokers and 49 were non-smokers without any acute or chronic pulmonary disease. Compared to baseline values, a decrease of spirometric parameters was observed immediately after the end of exposure and an even greater decrease was seen after 24 hr (FEV1 −0.53 L; FVC −0.59 L; PEF −53 L min−1, P < 0.05 for each). None of the participants complained of respiratory symptoms. Three months after the end of the season, a final test was given which revealed a persistent decrease in spirometric parameters in comparison with baseline values (FEV1 −0.28 L; FVC −0.34 L; PEF −45 L min−1, P < 0.05 for each). Comparison of smoking and non-smoking groups did not show any noteworthy difference for each parameter or the importance of their decline. Conclusions The findings show that firefighters are likely to develop respiratory impairments after wood smoke exposure. We did not observe any statistical differences between smokers and non-smokers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:819-825, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]