Detroit, Michigan, has recorded the worst air quality in the world due to smoke from Canadian wildfires near the Minnesota-Ontario border.
The smoke has moved into Michigan and other parts of the United States.
“Smoke will raise significant air quality concerns today for an area spanning from the Upper Midwest into the Ohio Valley, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic. Code orange and higher alerts are currently in effect for practically all affected areas,” meteorologist Max Velocity said.
“Smoke will continue to slowly traverse southeastwards, mixing close to the surface, leading to reduced amounts of visibility, milky-white skies (with the potential for an orange tinge to appear in the thickest concentrations), and those who are sensitive/vulnerable should avoid spending long periods of times outdoors. This threat will continue through tomorrow as well,” he added.
Smoke will raise significant air quality concerns today for an area spanning from the Upper Midwest into the Ohio Valley, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic. Code orange and higher alerts are currently in effect for practically all affected areas.
Smoke will continue to slowly traverse… pic.twitter.com/7QKX2RzTgI
— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) July 16, 2026
WXYZ has more:
Detroit has a 426 AQI, according to IQAir, which is well above the hazardous level of 301 AQI. Three other cities in the U.S. and one in Canada are in the top five.
ADVERTISEMENTToronto ranks second in the world with an AQI of 360, followed by Minneapolis with an AQI of 349.
Chicago also made the list.
“Much of the Chicago area is under an Air Quality Alert due to unhealthy ozone and wildfire smoke levels,” ABC 7 Chicago stated.
Much of the Chicago area is under an Air Quality Alert due to unhealthy ozone and wildfire smoke levels, The National Weather Service said. https://t.co/Rt1XR4S8lg pic.twitter.com/mGCO8AFpSL
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) July 16, 2026
New York City is also feeling the impact from the wildfire smoke.
Major American City Under Air Quality Alert Due To Canadian Wildfire Smoke
FOX Weather noted:
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for Thursday, warning people to limit time outside.
Air quality could reach a hazardous level as the day goes on. Toronto, Canada, ranked fourth place.
Conditions are likely to improve on Friday for many in the U.S., as the smoke pushes south and east.
Wildfire smoke is expected to linger across much of the region through Saturday before another cold front clears the smoke from the eastern U.S.
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