A comprehensive review on post-wildfire impacts in California: environmental exposure, health risks, and resilience strategies.

California's wildfires have intensified in frequency and severity, driven by climate change, prolonged droughts, and historical fire suppression policies. This PRISMA-guided systematic review synthesises empirical research from 2007 to 2024 on post-wildfire environmental exposures, health risks, and resilience strategies in California. Database searches (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed) identified 47 peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria. Empirical evidence suggests that wildfire-derived smoke, characterised by increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), combined with aerial and soil-based contamination, has a significant adverse impact on environmental quality and poses a substantial threat to human health. Vulnerable populations, particularly low-income groups, outdoor workers, and children, experience disproportionate exposure burdens. Resilience strategies, including prescribed burns, community preparedness, and policy interventions, are assessed for their effectiveness and the challenges associated with their implementation. Key research gaps include longitudinal studies on repeated smoke exposure, a comparison of the comparative toxicity of prescribed versus wildfire smoke, and equitable resilience planning. Integrating ecological, public health, and social science perspectives is essential for developing data-driven, community-based wildfire resilience frameworks in California.