This stunning NASA map tracks our summer of wildfire smoke

2026 marks the fourth year in a row that smoke from Canadian wildfires has led to severe air pollution in cities across North America. A NASA map reveals how the smoke traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles, affecting places like New York City and Detroit. Wildfire smoke typically rises 2 to 3 miles into the atmosphere, allowing it to cover vast distances.

At higher elevations, stronger winds cause the smoke to travel long distances. Tiny smoke particles can remain suspended in the atmosphere for days, sometimes even weeks.

The health impacts of wildfire smoke are immediate, but they can worsen over time as particles oxidize and mix with urban pollution, potentially triggering more cases of asthma and other health problems. Despite the international reach of the smoke, there is no clear legal precedent for holding Canada accountable for the air quality issues in the U.S. The responsibility lies in climate change, which has made the fires more frequent and intense.

Recent studies indicate that climate change doubled the likelihood of this year's Canadian wildfires. Additionally, it's been found that 37% of western North American fires in the last four decades can be attributed to emissions from major fossil fuel companies. Legal actions against these companies for climate damages, including wildfires, have already been initiated in states like California.

The Supreme Court will soon decide a case concerning whether oil and gas companies can be sued for climate pollution, with a potential conservative majority potentially ruling in their favor.