What to know about the Canadian and US wildfires and their impact

July 16, 2026

Hundreds of wildfires are currently burning across Canada and the United States, with Ontario accounting for nearly 200 of the 858 active fires across Canada, while Minnesota faces 17 ongoing blazes. The smoke from these fires has severely degraded air quality in major metropolitan areas including Toronto, New York, Boston, Detroit, and Minneapolis, with some ranked among the worst in the world. The wildfires have been fueled by a heat dome trapping warm air, along with below-average rainfall and extreme temperatures that dried out vegetation at the end of June.

Who is affected

Residents of Toronto, New York, Boston, Detroit, and Minneapolis
Six communities in Ontario under evacuation orders
Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in northern Ontario (homes and community buildings damaged)
First Nation communities in or near affected areas
Emergency responders
Vulnerable groups including people with chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, and eye conditions
Children
Residents of Virginia and North Carolina (expected future impact)

What action is being taken

858 wildfires are actively burning across Canada
An emergency declaration is in place in Minnesota to mobilize suppression efforts
Governments are issuing air quality warnings and advisories
Cities have activated air quality emergency protocols
Local centers are distributing masks to residents

Why it matters

Wildfire smoke contains hazardous pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide that penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and exacerbating existing health conditions. These tiny particles are particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations including those with chronic illnesses, children, and emergency responders. The widespread nature of the smoke affecting multiple major cities demonstrates the far-reaching public health impact of increasingly severe wildfire seasons driven by extreme heat and drought conditions.

What's next

Wind patterns will shift smoke south to Virginia and parts of North Carolina, with exposure ramping up until Friday
A second smoke plume is forecast to hit New York and Boston later on Thursday
Smoke is expected to be a prolonged effect with potentially worsening air quality in New York
There is concern about lingering smoke affecting the football World Cup final scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey

Read full article from source: BBC