President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada as punishment for wildfire smoke blanketing large parts of the United States. The smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires has caused hazardous air quality across the US Midwest and Northeast.
Heavy smoke from more than 800 wildfires burning across Canada spread south on July 16, 2026, darkening skies and creating hazardous air quality conditions across the US Midwest and East Coast. Officials warned millions of Americans, particularly elderly and medically vulnerable people, to stay indoors as unhealthy air readings were reported in at least 20 states.
Toronto recorded the worst air quality among major global cities as smoke from over 100 active wildfires in Ontario blanketed the city and drifted into the US Midwest and Northeast, prompting health warnings for millions.
