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Timelapse shows World Cup final stadium nearly vanish in smoky haze

July 17, 2026

Smoke from over 800 wildfires burning throughout Canada has created hazardous air quality conditions that have spread southward into numerous American states. The pollution has been particularly severe in New York, where western areas experienced "very unhealthy" air quality levels on July 16th, while New York City's air quality reached "unhealthy" levels. The dense smoke has dramatically reduced visibility across the New York metropolitan region, obscuring famous landmarks including MetLife Stadium, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty.

Who is affected

  • Residents of multiple US states affected by air quality alerts
  • People in western New York regions
  • Residents of the New York City metro area
  • The broader population of New York City (the most populous city in the US)

What action is being taken

  • More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada
  • Air quality alerts are extending south into multiple US states
  • Many people across New York City are wearing masks over their mouths and nose to protect themselves

Why it matters

  • This situation is significant because the wildfires are creating hazardous air quality conditions that cross international borders, affecting major population centers including America's most populous city. The severity of the air pollution has reached "very unhealthy" and "unhealthy" levels, posing potential health risks to millions of people and reducing visibility to the point where major landmarks are obscured.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC