As of Wednesday morning, July 15, 2026, more than 830 wildfires are burning across Canada, including several large fires in west-central Ontario that are producing significant smoke. In addition, over a dozen wildfires near the northern Minnesota border are growing with little containment, prompting mandatory evacuations.

Strong winds are directing heavy smoke from these fires into the United States, resulting in dangerous air quality conditions for millions of people across the upper Midwest and Northeast regions. Some of this smoke is forecasted to move over New York State and New England by mid-morning, potentially reaching from New York City to Boston by 2 p.m. local time.

Despite the widespread smoke, conditions in New York City are not expected to be as severe as those experienced in June 2023. Satellite imagery from July 14, 2026, shows the smoke descending across the US East Coast.

Meteorologists anticipate that rain on Friday over the upper Midwest and on Saturday for the Northeast will help disperse the smoke and improve air quality.

Sources