Toronto has been ranked as having the worst air quality on earth, surpassing cities such as Kinshasa in DR Congo and New Delhi in India, as smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario blankets the city and spreads into the northeastern United States. Environment Canada reported an Air Quality Health Index reading of 10+, classified as "very high risk," for Toronto on Wednesday, July 16, 2026.

Wildfires continue to burn through sparsely populated areas hundreds of miles from Toronto, Canada's largest city, sending smoke over a wide area. While cities nearby are not currently threatened by the fires, multiple health warnings and evacuations have been triggered. Canadian National reported that employees in the area and residents of Armstrong were evacuated on Monday night.

The Canadian government noted that the wildfire season began more slowly this year compared to 2023 and 2025, the two worst seasons on record, but warned that fires remain likely due to warmer-than-usual temperatures across the country. As of Wednesday, approximately 835 active fires were burning nationwide, with 112 considered out of control, mostly in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

In the United States, more than 80,000 people are expected to attend the FIFA World Cup final at an open-air stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with another 50,000 planning to watch the game from New York City's Central Park, where skies appeared hazy due to the smoke.

Additionally, a record El Niño event threatens to unleash floods across East Africa and Asia.

Sources