Wildfire smoke brings orange skies and dangerous air quality to millions of people in the US.
Canadian wildfire smoke from nearly 900 active fires is creating dangerous air quality and orange skies across the US Midwest and Northeast. Fox Weather correspondent Katie Byrne reports live from Cleveland on extensive smoke affecting major cities including New York, Boston and Washington DC, with relief expected soon.
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The slump in sports slowed even more Thursday as some games on the schedule were altered due to air quality in the Northeast and Midwest.
The wildfires in Canada have affected air quality in those areas to the point that residents were urged to stay inside and wear masks if they had to go out.
At least two sporting events were forced to be moved due to air: an MLB game and an MLS game.
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A cyclist wears a mask as wildfire smoke covers Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Laura Proctor/Bloomberg)
Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski was set to make his MLS debut on Thursday, but air quality forced the postponement of his Chicago Fire game against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Philadelphia Phillies also announced approximately three hours before the scheduled first pitch that their game against the New York Mets, originally scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, was moved up one hour.
The National Women’s Soccer League played a game at Citi Field that became the most attended women’s sports contest in New York history, with 42,175 people attending Gotham FC’s game against the Washington Spirit at Citi Field. But Washington’s Trinity Rodman wasn’t happy with the game, which included two hydration breaks per half.
A general view of Citi Field before the Queens Classic match between the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC in New York. (Brenden Willsch/Image Images)
EARTHQUAKE SOUNDS IN THE ICONIC NATIONAL PARK NEAR ITS MASSIVE SUPERVOLCANO
“If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing, and that’s my opinion,” Rodman said. “But at the end of the day, there are 40,000 people. It’s a full event, so it’s really difficult. It’s just a really difficult situation for everyone.”
Three MLB games in 2023 have been postponed due to air quality issues in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
Air quality in the tri-state area has been deemed “unhealthy,” potentially ruining Sunday’s World Cup final at nearby MetLife Stadium. But it is expected to improve over time.
Because of the air quality, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she has “directed” NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority “to make select quantities of masks available to commuters and at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway.”
A general view of Citizens Bank Park during the hazy conditions of the Canadian wildfires in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The game between the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed due to poor air quality. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to “stay in a cool place” and “drink plenty of water.”
