Where are the Canadian wildfires currently? Check affected Canada and US cities, smoke forecast and latest updates
While Canada’s 2026 wildfire season is less severe than the record-breaking 2023 and 2025 seasons, officials expect the fire danger to increase as the summer progresses.
Cities and regions affected by wildfires in Canada
Most active wildfires are concentrated in northwestern Ontario. Affected locations include:
- Armstrong’s
- Collins First Nation (Namaygoosisagagun First Nation)
- Lake Cushing
- Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (Lac La Croix First Nation)
- Gull Bay First Nation (Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek)
- Ignace
- Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation
- McDowell Lake area
- Pickle Lake
- Quetico State Park
- Thunder Bay serving as evacuation center
- upsala
- Wabakimi State Park
- Whitesand First Nation
Click the link to check out the latest updates on the Canadian wildfires
Cities affected by smoke from wildfires in Canada
Smoke from the northwestern Ontario wildfires has spread into the Great Lakes, parts of Canada and the northeastern United States. Air quality was affected in the following areas:
- Alma, Quebec
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Duluth, Minnesota
- Grand Marais, Minnesota
- Greater Sudbury, Ontario
- Hancock, Michigan
- Kingston, Ontario
- Marquette, Michigan
- Montreal, Quebec
- Owen Sound, Ontario
- Peterborough, Ontario
- Sault Ste. Mary, Ontario
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Toronto, Ontario
Forecasts indicate the heaviest smoke could spread as far south as Washington, D.C., by Thursday afternoon.
Where are the wildfires in Canada?
According to AccuWeather and Canadian wildfire maps, most of the fires affecting air quality are burning in Ontario, particularly in the northwestern part of the state, as well as neighboring Minnesota and surrounding areas. Smoke from these fires has drifted across the Great Lakes and is expected to continue moving into New Jersey and other parts of the Northeast.
When will air quality improve?
Air quality conditions are expected to gradually improve as fire smoke shifts and disperses. Some areas in the Midwest and Great Lakes could begin to see relief by Friday. However, smoke may continue to affect parts of the Northeast through Friday and Saturday. If the fires remain active and winds continue to carry smoke southward, communities close to the Canadian fires could experience poor air quality through the weekend.
Health officials advised precautions
Dense wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can be harmful, especially to children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions. Exposure may cause shortness of breath, cough, dizziness, fatigue, and may worsen existing health conditions.
Officials advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible, especially as high temperatures coincide with poor air quality. Those who need to go outside are encouraged to wear an N95 mask and improve indoor air quality by keeping windows closed and using air purifiers or air conditioning.
National Weather Service meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein said the combination of wildfire smoke and extreme heat increases health risks.
Minnesota wilderness evacuated as fires spread
Authorities closed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Area in northeastern Minnesota after approximately 17 lightning-caused wildfires broke out in the area.
Officials estimated there were 6,000 to 10,000 campers remaining in the 1.1 million acres of wilderness when the closure was announced. Rangers are working to evacuate visitors, many of whom have to kayak or carry boats overland for hours to leave the area.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the Canadian Air Force rescued two groups of teenage campers who had crossed the border and were reported safe.
State officials added that some fires in the Border Waters will be closely monitored and allowed to burn to prevent them from posing a danger to life and property.
Why is Canada experiencing widespread wildfires?
Experts say Canada’s vast boreal forests provide abundant fuel for wildfires, while prolonged drought and high temperatures create dry conditions that allow fires to spread quickly.
Severe drought combined with heat has created a “perfect storm” for wildfires, said Dan Westervelt, an associate professor at Columbia University’s School of Climate. Research also shows that rising temperatures associated with burning coal, oil and gas are making wildfires more frequent and intense.
US wildfire season also remains active
The United States is also facing an active wildfire season, with nearly four dozen major fires burning in 15 states, including Minnesota, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and California.
More than 16,800 personnel are battling fires that have burned 5,678 square miles, an area larger than Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks combined, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, Reuters reports.
Officials warn fires could rage for months
Minnesota officials have warned that some of the state’s largest fires could continue burning for months.
State Department Natural Resources Director Patty Thielen said serious fires could continue throughout the summer until the snowfall is extinguished.
Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin also warned residents of poor air quality that could last for several days; Residents in some parts of Maine reported that the sky was hazy yellow and brown as smoke continued to spread across the region.
(With input from institutions)
