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Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to affect air quality across large portions of both Canada and the United States, requiring travelers to monitor conditions daily before participating in outdoor activities. Photo: Jimmy Liao / Pexels.




North America
NORTH AMERICA -------------------------------3180ADVISORY

Extreme Smoke Forces Travelers to Take Extra Precautions in the United States and Canada

Air quality has reached hazardous levels in numerous destinations as wildfires continue to affect both countries.

If you are planning to travel to the northern United States or Canada in the coming days, air quality should become one of the first factors in your travel planning. Smoke from hundreds of active wildfires in Canada has significantly degraded atmospheric conditions across large areas of both countries, prompting health alerts and special recommendations from authorities for residents and visitors. Although airports, hotels, and tourist attractions remain open in most destinations, the pollution can pose serious health risks and disrupt outdoor activities.

The hardest-hit U.S. states include Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and New York, while in Canada the most severe conditions have been reported in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Conditions can change rapidly depending on wind direction, meaning a city with good air quality in the morning may experience hazardous conditions only a few hours later. Before setting out on a road trip, hiking trail, or national park visit, always check official air quality reports.

Understand the Air Quality Alerts Before You Go

The United States uses the Air Quality Index (AQI), a scale ranging from 0 to 500. Values between 0 and 50 are considered Good; 51 to 100, Moderate; 101 to 150, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups; 151 to 200, Unhealthy; 201 to 300, Very Unhealthy; and anything above 300 falls into the Hazardous category. An AQI of 500 represents the highest level on the scale and indicates extreme pollution capable of affecting everyone, including healthy individuals.

Canada uses the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which typically ranges from 1 to 10+. When the index reaches 10+, the health risk is considered Very High, and authorities recommend minimizing outdoor exposure as much as possible. Because the two countries use different systems, travelers should verify which index appears in local reports before interpreting the level of risk.

How to Reduce Health Risks During Your Trip

If air quality begins to deteriorate, consider adjusting your itinerary by replacing outdoor activities with visits to museums, cultural centers, aquariums, shopping malls, or other indoor attractions. If you must spend time outdoors, limit strenuous physical activity and wear a properly fitted N95 respirator or equivalent, particularly when pollution reaches unhealthy levels.

Keep the windows of your hotel room and vehicle closed whenever smoke is visible, use the air recirculation setting while driving, and stay well hydrated. Travelers with asthma or cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should carry their prescribed medications and follow their physician's recommendations. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, or persistent symptoms.

Maintaining flexibility in your travel plans is also advisable. Guided excursions, scenic drives, national park visits, camping trips, outdoor sporting events, and cultural festivals may be modified, postponed, or canceled if pollution reaches dangerous levels. Local authorities and event organizers generally issue updates as atmospheric conditions evolve.

Check Air Quality Every Day

Just as you check the weather forecast before heading out, make air quality part of your daily travel routine. Consult official resources such as AirNow in the United States, Environment and Climate Change Canada in Canada, or international services such as IQAir, which provide updated pollution levels and short-term forecasts.

Wildfires have become increasingly frequent and severe across North America, and the smoke they produce can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles from its source. Staying informed allows travelers to make timely decisions and enjoy their trips more safely, particularly during a season when conditions can change with little warning.

By Heydi Bernal for Ruta Pantera on 7/17/2026 8:27:56 AM

×
References:
AirNow. (2026). Air Quality Index (AQI).
Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2026). Air Quality Health Index (AQHI).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2026). Wildfire Smoke and Your Health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke.
IQAir. (2026). World Air Quality Ranking.



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