How much longer will the Canadian wildfire smoke plague the Northern US?
The smoke has created hazy daytime skies reminiscent of the Mars-like skies that enveloped New York City in June 2023.
Canadian wildfire smoke chokes Midwest, Northeast with dangerous air quality conditions
More than 100 million people are under Air Quality Alerts across the Midwest and Northeast as winds trap thick wildfire smoke from Canada. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne has the latest conditions from Cleveland.
More than 100 million people are under Air Quality Alerts across the Midwest and Northeast as persistent winds trap thick wildfire smoke from Canada.
The smoke has created hazy daytime skies reminiscent of the Mars-like skies that enveloped New York City in June 2023.
WATCH: DRAMATIC VIDEO SHOWS FREIGHT TRAIN, CREW CAUGHT IN CANADIAN WILDFIRES
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 16: People cool off along Lake Michigan as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the city on July 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. City officials have encouraged people to stay inside as the air quality index today in the city has been rated "very unhealthy", with some nearby suburban areas rated "hazardous".
(Scott Olson / Getty Images)
A persistent northwesterly wind is driving thick smoke from a recent wildfire outbreak across western Ontario in Canada and Minnesota into the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and much of the Northeast.
Nearly 80 different wildfires are burning out of control in Ontario.
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When will the Canadian wildfire smoke finally clear the US?
A persistent northwesterly wind is trapping Canadian wildfire smoke over more 100 million people in the Midwest and Northeast. Air quality issues are expected to remain until the wind fully shifts sometime Saturday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, Michigan is being impacted the worst so far by these large plumes of smoke, with the entire state reporting the worst air quality on record since they began in the early 2000s.
Hazardous air quality has been reported in at least seven states, with the worst air quality generally found in northern states near the Canadian border.
WATCH: DRAMATIC VIDEO SHOWS FREIGHT TRAIN, CREW CAUGHT IN CANADIAN WILDFIRES
Detroit announced Friday that it canceled all city-run outdoor activities due to hazardous air quality. Philadelphia issued a Code Purple Air Quality Alert on Friday, asking people to stay indoors, if possible.
Amtrak said Friday that the smoke could delay service in the Midwest and Northeast.
The Twins-Cubs game at Wrigley Field remains on schedule Friday, although officials said they were closely monitoring air quality.
(FOX Weather)
Big cities with poor air quality
Cities reporting unhealthy air quality on Friday included:
- Chicago, Illinois
- Duluth, Minnesota
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Detroit, Michigan
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Marquette, Michigan
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Washington, D.C.
- Baltimore, Maryland
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: Haze from Canadian wildfires blankets the Manhattan skyline as seen from a Staten Island Ferry on July 16, 2026 in New York City. Much of the East Coast and Canada is under an Air Quality Health Advisory as the Canadian and Great Lakes wildfire smoke gradually moves through the area, creating a thick haze in the heat. The region is experiencing temperatures with heat indexes over 100 degrees as it confronts another heat wave.Ahead Of World Cup Final, NYC Metro Area Under Smoky Skies Due To Canadian Wildfires.
(David Ramos / Getty Images)
The wildfire smoke has remained trapped in these states due to northwesterly winds behind a passing cold front, as the smoke is stuck in a belt of winds from Canada.
"Until the wind fully shifts back out of the southwest, some form of smoke and worsening air quality is anticipated to hang around through at least Friday, possibly into Saturday," the FOX Forecast Center said.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: Haze from Canadian wildfires blankets the Statue of Liberty as seen from a Staten Island Ferry on July 16, 2026 in New York City. Much of the East Coast and Canada is under an Air Quality Health Advisory as the Canadian and Great Lakes wildfire smoke gradually moves through the area, creating a thick haze in the heat. The region is experiencing temperatures with heat indexes over 100 degrees as it confronts another heat wave.Ahead Of World Cup Final, NYC Metro Area Under Smoky Skies Due To Canadian Wildfires.
(David Ramos / Getty Images)
Despite this, forecasters are monitoring a new area of low pressure that will dip into Ontario this weekend, as wind direction shifts the smoke back across the border and helps clear things up here in the states.
Hopefully, by this weekend, people in affected areas will begin to notice more fresh air and clearer skies around the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Northeast as the smoke begins to disperse.