25 Cities Where Wildfires Are Ruining Air Quality Right Now

By Evan Comen • August 5, 2025

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As wildfires rage across parts of the Western United States and Canada, thick plumes of smoke are phishing air pollution to dangerous levels in cities thousands of miles away, triggering air quality alerts and putting sensitive groups at risk.

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Within the United States, there are currently 15 fires at least 30,000 acres in size. Smoke from domestic fires is spreading northeast as smoke from Canadian fires spreads southeast, causing smoke levels to spike to historic levels and concentration of overall particulate matter to soar beyond the EPA threshold for unhealthy air of 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

There are currently 483 counties under air quality alert, representing more than 96 million Americans. In some cities, smoke is lingering for days, turning skies hazy and limiting outdoor activity. A closer look at the data reveals the cities where wildfires are ruining air quality right now.

To determine the cities where wildfires are spreading the most smoke, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on smoke forecasts and wildfires from the NOAA. Cities were ranked based on forecast surface smoke concentration for August 5, 2025. Only cities downwind from uncontained wildfires at least 2,000 acres in size as of August 4, 2025 were included. Supplemental data on total PM2.5 concentration are also from the NOAA. Only cities with at least 50,000 residents were included.

25. Bethlehem, PA

Photo by Jacob McGowin on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 11.9 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 9.5 µg/m³
Total population: 76,555

24. Cheektowaga, NY

Photo by Jaron Mobley on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 12.2 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 22.2 µg/m³
Total population: 76,483

23. Rochester, MN

Photo by Cody Otto on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 12.4 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 48.5 µg/m³
Total population: 120,848

22. Pontiac, MI

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 12.4 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 27.6 µg/m³
Total population: 61,965

21. New Haven, CT

Photo by Richard Liu on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 12.5 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 16.6 µg/m³
Total population: 135,736

20. Erie, PA

Photo by chuck derby on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 12.6 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 13.0 µg/m³
Total population: 94,826

19. Passaic, NJ

Photo by Yaakov Winiarz on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 12.9 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 14.2 µg/m³
Total population: 70,048

18. Buffalo, NY

Photo by Anil Baki Durmus on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.0 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 22.6 µg/m³
Total population: 276,688

17. West Haven, CT

Photo by Bill Burke on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.0 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 16.3 µg/m³
Total population: 55,336

16. Milford, CT

Photo by Francis Xavier on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.2 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 14.7 µg/m³
Total population: 50,664

15. Oshkosh, WI

Photo by Timothy Holmes on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.4 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 48.4 µg/m³
Total population: 66,373

14. Clifton, NJ

Photo by Julien Maculan on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.4 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 13.8 µg/m³
Total population: 89,451

13. Wyoming, MI

Photo by luke flynt on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.5 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 36.4 µg/m³
Total population: 76,732

12. Newton, MA

Photo by Aldebaran S on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 13.9 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 16.6 µg/m³
Total population: 88,453

11. Kentwood, MI

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 14.1 µg/m³

Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 36.3 µg/m³

Total population: 54,042

10. Paterson, NJ

Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 14.3 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 13.5 µg/m³
Total population: 157,864

9. Eau Claire, WI

Photo by Preston Lane on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 14.5 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 54.4 µg/m³
Total population: 69,098

8. Appleton, WI

Photo by Gary Meulemans on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 14.5 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 56.6 µg/m³
Total population: 75,133

7. Waltham, MA

Photo by Henry Dixon on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 14.8 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 17.0 µg/m³
Total population: 64,711

6. Lansing, MI

Photo by Justin Jones on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 15.0 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 40.7 µg/m³
Total population: 112,986

5. Grand Rapids, MI

Photo by Ad Telic on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 15.0 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 38.5 µg/m³
Total population: 198,096

4. Worcester, MA

Photo by Francisco Galarza on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 15.5 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 17.3 µg/m³
Total population: 204,191

3. Green Bay, WI

Photo by Sunil GC on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 16.6 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 61.7 µg/m³
Total population: 106,846

2. Flint, MI

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 18.4 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 19.6 µg/m³
Total population: 81,863

1. Framingham, MA

Photo by Christopher Ryan on Unsplash

Forecast smoke concentration, August 5: 18.9 µg/m³
Forecast PM2.5 concentration, August 5: 17.2 µg/m³
Total population: 71,805

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