Wildfire smoke brings orange skies and hazardous air quality to millions in the United States
Smoke from Canada’s wildfires from nearly 900 active fires is creating hazardous air quality and orange skies across the Midwest and northeastern United States. Fox Weather correspondent Katie Byrne reports live from Cleveland on heavy smoke affecting major cities like New York, Boston and Washington DC, with relief expected soon.
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The sports downturn slowed further Thursday as some games on the schedule were changed due to air quality in the Northeast and Midwest.
Wildfires in Canada have affected air quality in these regions to such an extent that residents have been urged to stay indoors and wear masks if they must go out.
At least two sporting events were forced to be moved due to lack of air: an MLB game and an MLS game.
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A cyclist wears a mask as smoke from wildfires blankets Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Laura Proctor/Bloomberg)
Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski was scheduled to make his MLS debut Thursday, but air quality forced the postponement of his Chicago Fire match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Philadelphia Phillies also announced approximately three hours before the scheduled first pitch that their game against the New York Mets, originally scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, had been moved up an hour.
The National Women’s Soccer League played a match at Citi Field that turned into the most attended women’s sports competition in New York history, with 42,175 people attending Gotham FC’s match against the Washington Spirit at Citi Field. But Washington’s Trinity Rodman wasn’t happy with the game, which included two hydration breaks per half.
A general view of Citi Field before the Queens Classic match between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC in New York. (Brenden Willsch/Imagn Images)
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“If we have to take a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing the game, and that’s my opinion,” Rodman said. “But at the end of the day, there are 40,000 people. It’s quite an event, so it’s really difficult. It’s just a very difficult situation for everyone to get around.”
Three MLB games have been postponed to 2023 due to air quality concerns in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
Air quality in the tri-state area has been rated “unhealthy,” which could put a damper on Sunday’s World Cup final at nearby MetLife Stadium. But this is expected to improve over time.
Due to the air quality, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said she has “directed” NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority “to make certain quantities of masks available to commuters and at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway.”
A general view of Citizens Bank Park in foggy conditions caused by the Canadian wildfires in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The game between the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed due to poor air quality. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to “stay in a cool place” and “drink lots of water.”
