Canadian wildfire smoke pushes Toronto air quality to world's worst, reaches US
Summary
Smoke from wildfires in northern Ontario caused Toronto to have the worst air quality among major cities worldwide on July 16, 2026. The smoke spread into parts of the northeastern United States, raising health concerns and leading officials to warn people to limit outdoor activities.Key Facts
- Toronto recorded an Air Quality Health Index of 10+, which is considered "very high risk."
- Wildfires are burning far from cities but send smoke over large areas affecting many places.
- New York City and surrounding states experienced unhealthy air and were advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Two groups of children camping in the Canadian wilderness were rescued safely with help from helicopters and the Canadian military.
- Smoke from Canadian wildfires has increasingly affected large parts of the United States in recent years.
- The city of Toronto canceled outdoor World Cup fan events due to poor air quality.
- Over 80,000 people are expected to gather at the World Cup final in New Jersey despite smoke and haze.
- Canada reported this wildfire season started slower than previous years but warned fires could worsen because of warm weather.
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