# Wildfires Blanket North America in Smoke Cities from Chicago to Washington grapple with thick smoke. - **Source:** [Science Latest](https://brifing.si/source/ebc20f22-8d1a-4ae4-ba4c-efcd0853ba19) - **Published:** 2026-07-17 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0e3de88d-b369-43b2-9410-38e826336369 ## Summer Rituals Have Changed Hot dogs, beach days, and iced tea on the porch were traditional summer rituals. However, due to global warming, a new ritual has emerged: breathing in smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away. ## Air Quality Alarms The Midwest and Northeast US, along with parts of Canada, were blanketed in thick smoke. The sky turned an eerie shade of orange, and air quality alerts became widespread. Fires in Minnesota and western Ontario are the source. ## Impact of the Fires In Canada, 119 fires are out of control. The fires are so intense that smoke is rising into the atmosphere and being carried eastward by the jet stream. This is why Chicago and Detroit have the worst air quality in the world. ## Cities Take Precautions Air quality in cities like New York and Washington has reached alarming levels. Authorities are advising residents to stay indoors. People are searching for ways to protect themselves from harmful smoke. ## Future Risks The fires show no signs of abating, indicating that more smoke could be in store later this summer. The use of fossil fuels increases the likelihood of destructive wildfires and more frequent smoke events. ## Long-Term Effects Research shows that wildfire smoke could cause 71,420 excess deaths annually in the US alone. This represents a 73% increase compared to the 2010s. If temperatures continue to rise, the situation could worsen. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.wired.com/story/cities-from-chicago-to-washington-dc-look-like-wildfire-smoke/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._