NEW YORK CITY −Wildfire smoke wafted from Canadato create unhealthy air quality levels across the Northeast on July 26. State officials fromMaine to New Yorkissued alerts forfine particulate matter, a toxic byproduct of wildfires that is small enough to be inhaled. Smoky conditions impacted cities includingBostonand New York. Canada's fires could produce more smoke blowing into the Northeast through the afternoon, said Brooke Taber, a National Weather Service meteorologist stationed in Burlington, Vermont. Smoke is also causing limited visibility in some areas. Wind changes could provide a respite by the night, Taber said. Montreal had some of the worst air quality in the world due to fires in the Canadian Prairies, theCanadian Press reported, citingIQAir, a Swiss-based monitoring company. Several wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are sending large smoke plumes eastward, according to Quebec'sfire provincial agency. Meanwhile, New York City climbed on IQAir's list of cities with unhealthy air levels. Hazy skies and the faint smell of smoke blanketed Manhattan on Saturday. Officials urged people tostay indoors to reduce exposure, and to limit strenuous activity. Exposure can cause short-term effects such as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, along with coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. It can be particularly dangerous for people in sensitive groups, such as children, older people and those with chronic health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease. You may be noticing hazy skies and a light smell of smoke in the air. This is from smoke that has become trapped in a zone of sinking air in the middle levels of the atmosphere. Our satellite imagery shows the smoke well with the milky white color over New England.pic.twitter.com/F9k2GaWdWv — NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY)July 26, 2025 Canada is experiencing another harsh wildfire season in awarming climate. Dozens of wildfires are blazing uncontrolled, according to Canada'snatural resources department. In early July, Manitoba's government declared astate of emergencyfor its historic fires. July 17:Brace for more smoky skies as Canadian wildfires rage Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email atemcuevas1@usatoday.comor on Signal at emcuevas.01. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Air quality map shows Canandian wildfire smoke impacts
