safety
Canadian wildfire smoke turns air hazardous in the US Midwest. Officials say stay inside
By Tammy Webber And Philip Marcelo, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 16, 2026
· 5 min read
Heavy, pungent smoke from Canadian wildfires darkened skies in the U.S. on Thursday from the Great Lakes to parts of the East Coast, reducing visibility and prompting warnings that breathing the air outside could be dangerous.Officials in many cities urged residents to stay inside or wear masks o...
Key takeaway “It’s scary,” Omar Mitchell, 50, said as he looked he looked to the sky.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents may be breathing a sigh of relief that the hazardous air quality alerts are currently confined to the Great Lakes states, but the situation serves as a stark reminder of the potential for wildfire smoke to impact local air quality. While San Antonio is not currently affected by the Canadian wildfires, the city's own experience with wildfires in recent years highlights the importance of being prepared for potential air quality issues. The National Weather Service's warning that even if winds clear the skies, the smoky air could keep returning until the fires are out, is a concern that San Antonians should note, given the region's own history of drought and wildfire risk. As the city's public health officials monitor the situation, residents should stay informed about any potential air quality alerts and take necessary precautions to protect their health.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Heavy, pungent smoke from Canadian wildfires darkened skies in the U.S. on Thursday from the Great Lakes to parts of the East Coast, reducing visibility and prompting warnings that breathing the air outside could be dangerous.Officials in many cities urged residents to stay inside or wear masks o...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tammy Webber And Philip Marcelo, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter