safety
Detroit has the worst air quality in the world from Canadian wildfire smoke, IQAir says
By ABC Detroit at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
Smoke from wildfires near the Minnesota-Ontario border in Northern Ontario has moved into Michigan and other parts of the country.That smoke has given Detroit the worst air quality in the world, according to the website IQAir.Detroit has a 426 AQI, according to IQAir, which is well above the haza...
Key takeaway Watch below: Dangerous wildfire smoke chokes Midwest and Northeast Dangerous wildfire smoke chokes Midwest and NortheastToronto ranks second in the world with an AQI of 360, followed by Minneapolis with an AQI of 349.
Why this matters in The Detroit
Detroit's hazardous air quality, now the worst in the world, poses a significant threat to residents with pre-existing respiratory conditions. The city's 426 AQI reading is particularly concerning for communities near industrial areas, where air pollution is already a persistent issue. As the smoke from Canadian wildfires lingers, local health officials will need to closely monitor hospital admissions and emergency room visits for asthma and other respiratory problems. The fact that other major cities in the region, such as Minneapolis and Toronto, are also experiencing severe air quality issues suggests a broader regional response may be necessary to mitigate the effects of this wildfire smoke. Detroiters should take precautions to minimize their exposure to the poor air quality, and city officials should be prepared to provide support to vulnerable populations.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit 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 WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Smoke from wildfires near the Minnesota-Ontario border in Northern Ontario has moved into Michigan and other parts of the country.That smoke has given Detroit the worst air quality in the world, according to the website IQAir.Detroit has a 426 AQI, according to IQAir, which is well above the haza...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC Detroit at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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