Wildfire Smoke Consequences in the U.S. and Canada: A Photo Compilation

On Thursday, heavy wildfire smoke covered large areas of the U.S., stretching from the Great Lakes to the East Coast. The smoke significantly reduced visibility, prompting warnings about the potential health risks of outdoor air exposure.

This unique gallery showcases images captured by AP photo editors.

In New York’s Brooklyn borough, the Statue of Liberty was seen during sunset as wildfire smoke enveloped the sky on July 16, 2026. The photo taken by Yuki Iwamura illustrates the impact of the smoke on the cityscape.

The following day in Arlington, Va., the rising sun was obscured by wildfire smoke behind the Marine Corps War Memorial. The photograph captured by Julia Demaree Nikhinson is a stark representation of the atmospheric conditions.

Another striking scene on July 17, 2026, was in Washington, D.C., where people were seen running in front of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, with the sun hidden by smoke.

In New Jersey, Ryan Murphy photographed the Jersey City skyline through the haze of smoke, illustrating the widespread effects of the wildfires.

Additional views of the New York City skyline from Jersey City show the pervasive presence of smoke, affecting visibility and ambiance.

An atmospheric capture at the Top of the Rock Observation Deck showed a person gazing out a window as smoke hung over New York, providing a visual of the smoke’s extensive coverage.

In an image by Yuki Iwamura, a person on the Staten Island Ferry wore a mask, highlighting public precautions against poor air quality on Thursday, July 16.

The impact extended to Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., where Michael Lesperance was seen weeding his driveway with a mask for protection against the smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Paul Sancya photographed a watercraft on the Detroit River under smoky skies, emphasizing the environmental consequences.

In Northbrook, Ill., a golfer checked his score card at Willow Hills Golf Course amidst poor air quality due to dense smoke.

Chris Szagola captured the Sun’s orange hue from the wildfire smoke as it set near the Philadelphia Phillies scoreboard during a baseball game against the New York Mets.

In Toronto, the Canadian Press photographer Cole Burston captured a child looking out from the CN Tower observation deck, with smoke from Northwestern Ontario wildfires blanketing the city.