Canada wildfire smoke triggers US health alerts ahead of World Cup final

Orange-hued skies, wildfire smoke and scorched forest land have been regular occurrences across North America in recent years as rising global temperatures contribute to massive forest fires.

More than 130 fires are still active in northwestern Ontario province, with at least 60 out of control according to Canadian data.

Wildfire smoke has been pouring across the U.S. border from fires in Canada again, turning skies an eerie shade of orange in several states in July 2026.

More than 20 states have been affected, prompting widespread air quality alerts from the Upper Midwest to the East Coast.