Story perspectives

Heat Dome Sends Canadian Smoke Over 100 Million Americans

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

A heat dome over the United States is funneling Canadian wildfire smoke into the Midwest and Northeast, putting over 100 million people in 18 states and D.C. under air-quality alerts.
City officials in New York and Detroit distributed free N95-style masks while urging residents to stay indoors.
Scientists say climate-driven heat and drought lengthen the smoke season, noting fossil-fuel pollution caused 15,000 U.S. deaths from wildfire particles between 2006 and 2020.

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Story summary

A heat dome over the United States is funneling Canadian wildfire smoke into the Midwest and Northeast, putting over 100 million people in 18 states and D.C. under air-quality alerts.
City officials in New York and Detroit distributed free N95-style masks while urging residents to stay indoors.
Scientists say climate-driven heat and drought lengthen the smoke season, noting fossil-fuel pollution caused 15,000 U.S. deaths from wildfire particles between 2006 and 2020.