Wildfire Smoke SpreadsTo Detroit And New York

By Douglas McIntyre  •  September 13, 2026
Ella Wei Pexels

USA Today produces a wildfire and smoke map that shows, among other things, smoke from active wildfires. Today, that smoke extends from Iowa to Chicago to New York City. The smoke is not severe now. NOAA described it as “A broad layer of remnant light-density smoke from yesterday’s fire activity extended from the Central Plains and Midwestern U.S. eastward.” Even at this level, it is dangerous to health, particularly because it has come in waves this summer

Even Modest Smoke Is Dangerous

The worst smoke of the season in the Eastern US was on July 16. Detroit had the worst air quality among all of the world’s largest cities. CBS News reported, “All of Michigan is under an air quality alert through Friday.” The smoke came from wildfires in Canada, some of which were allowed to burn because they were too remote for firefighters to reach.

The smoke that enveloped Detroit moved to New York City. A day after Detroit’s worst day, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “Air quality has reached unhealthy levels in parts of NYC due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.” 

Long term, wildfire smoke cumulatively takes a health toll. The Yale School of Public Health scientist Dr. Yiqun Ma, PhD commented, “These fine particles can penetrate the respiratory tract and bloodstream, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation, which can impair lung and vascular function.” Additionally, these particles affected mental health and the “gastrointestinal tract.”

Unlike many climate change problems, wildfire smoke is not a local issue. It is not unusual for the smoke to travel over 1,000 miles. Usually, this smoke moves West to East. 

The smoke map may show that the smoke is nowhere near as thick as it was in July. Health officials say, however, that the damage is cumulative.

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