By , AccuWeather meteorologist
Massive plumes of smoke are descending across parts of Canada and the United States, creating unhealthy air quality and scenes reminiscent of the historic wildfire smoke outbreak from three summers ago.
“In 2023, a major fire outbreak in Quebec caused days of unhealthy air quality in the northeastern U.S.,” AccuWeather Vice President of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said. “This event could cause similar levels of poor air quality in spots.”
Over 800 wildfires are currently burning across Canada, including dozens that are out of control across western Ontario, the source of most of the smoke.
Air quality alerts have been issued from Wisconsin and Michigan through New York and Massachusetts due to the smoke, creating health concerns for anyone spending time outside.
The smoke forecast through Wednesday night and Thursday morning from Canadian and Minnesota wildfires.
Toronto had some of the worst air quality in North America on Wednesday morning, reaching “very unhealthy” levels with an AQI of 220. “Health effects will be immediately felt by sensitive groups and should avoid outdoor activity,” Plume Labs said. “Healthy individuals are likely to experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation.”
In Boston, air quality reached “unhealthy” conditions on Wednesday morning with an AQI of 147. Little improvement is expected in the city into Thursday.
The difference between Tuesday and Wednesday at Niagara Falls was startling as an orange-gray shroud settled over the iconic waterfall.
Views of Niagara Falls on July 14 before the wildfire smoke arrived, and on July 15 after thick smoke settled over the region. (EarthCam)
Air quality could become a more widespread concern as the wildfire smoke spreads through the rest of the week.
“Dense smoke coverage will be more expansive on Thursday, covering much of the Great Lakes and New England, including Detroit, Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Breanna Grill said. “Hazy conditions will exist across much of the northern United States.”
The thickest smoke extends from the Great Lakes into New England. There was also a band of high-altitude smoke creating hazy conditions from Indiana and Ohio across Virginia and parts of North Carolina.
Fires burning in northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories are also contributing to the smoky sky across North America. Most of the smoke from these blazes is higher in the atmosphere.
A satellite image of wildfire smoke across parts of Canada and the United States on July 15, 2026. (NOAA)
People are encouraged to limit time outdoors amid the poor air quality, especially for sensitive groups.
Spending time outdoors and exercising could increase the risk of impacts, including difficulty breathing, throat irritation and itchy eyes.
“Make sure to keep pets indoors to limit their exposure to poor air quality,” Grill added.
The smoke can also limit temperatures amid an ongoing heat dome, and where the smoke is not as thick in the sky, create vivid sunrises and sunsets.
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