Midwest sees world's worst air quality as wildfire smoke spreads

NBC News Logo World Cup Politics U.S. News World BusinessLocalNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaWashington, D.C.BostonBay AreaSouth FloridaSan DiegoConnecticut SHOPPING Tipline Culture Sports Science Health Subscriber HubSavedNewslettersProfileSubscriptionPreferencesSearchSearchSectionsU.S. NewsPoliticsWorldBusinessSportsInvestigationsCulture & TrendsHealthScienceTechWeatherVIDEOPhotosSudokuNBC SelectedNBC Asian AmericaNBC BLKNBC LatinoNBC OUTLocalNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallas-Fort WorthPhiladelphiaWashington, D.C.BostonBay AreaSouth FloridaSan DiegoConnecticuttvTodayNightly NewsMeet the PressDatelineFeaturedNBC News NowNightly FilmsStay TunedSpecial FeaturesNewslettersPodcastsListen NowBusiness in AmericaMore From NBCNBC.COMNBCU AcademyPeacockNEXT STEPS FOR VETSNBC News Site MapHelpFollow NBC News news Alerts There are no new alerts at this time SearchSearchFacebookTwitterEmailSMSBlue SkyWhatsappPrintRedditFlipboardPinterestLinkedinLatest StoriesWorld CupPoliticsU.S. NewsWorldBusinessSHOPPINGTiplineCultureSportsScienceHealthShoppingMidwest sees world's worst air quality as wildfire smoke spreadsJuly 16, 202602:00Temporary housing money for L.A. fire victims running out03:29Dangerous waters sweep through West Hollywood 01:20Good News: Community comes together to buy new mobile home for couple after fire01:25Trump teleprompter operator betting allegations01:36Now PlayingMidwest sees world's worst air quality as wildfire smoke spreads02:00UP NEXTArgentina beats England to reach finals01:02Good News: High school football team surprises coach as he battles cancer01:13Terrifying video of train trapped in wildfire02:01Trump reverses DHS order for ICE officers00:59New video shows deadly boat sinking near Alcatraz01:42Tornado hits Texas during rush hour02:03New audio from Nolan Wells case02:05Trump’s pick for Attorney General grilled in hearing02:16'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot’s Alzheimer's diagnosis01:24At least 1 dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes in San Francisco Bay00:44Suspects arrested in connection with Texas swimmer’s death01:40Dangerous floods prompt rescues in Texas01:46Parasite outbreak spreads across U.S.02:00Trump backs off Strait of Hormuz toll plan as cost of Iran war mounts01:52ICE temporarily halts vehicle pursuits after two fatal shootings in Maine and Texas02:14Nightly NewsMidwest sees world's worst air quality as wildfire smoke spreads02:00CopiedSmoke from Canadian wildfires is blanketing major cities across the U.S., obscuring iconic skylines and prompting air quality alerts. NBC News’ Maggie Vespa reports.July 16, 2026 onTemporary housing money for L.A. fire victims running out03:29Dangerous waters sweep through West Hollywood 01:20Good News: Community comes together to buy new mobile home for couple after fire01:25Trump teleprompter operator betting allegations01:36Now PlayingMidwest sees world's worst air quality as wildfire smoke spreads02:00UP NEXTArgentina beats England to reach finals01:02Get more newsLiveonBest of NBC News Nightly NewsTemporary housing money for L.A. fire victims running outNightly NewsDangerous waters sweep through West Hollywood Nightly NewsGood News: Community comes together to buy new mobile home for couple after fireTeleprompter operator allegedly bet on Trump's speechesHallie Jackson NOWSpaceX Starship megarocket launch aborted at last minuteHallie Jackson NOWWH teleprompter operator on leave for alleged insider trading on Trump's speechesPlay AllAboutContactHelpCareersAd ChoicesPrivacy PolicyYour Privacy ChoicesCA NoticeTerms of ServiceNBC News Subscription Terms of ServiceNBC News SitemapClosed CaptioningSubscribeAdvertiseNBC Selected© 2026 NBCUniversal Media, LLC