The dirtiest air in the world

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the view north to midtown Manhattan on July 15, 2026. | Gary Hershorn/Getty Images This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. Subscribe here. Canadian wildfire smoke is pouring over the US border today, blanketing much of the Northeast and Upper Midwest in fine particulate.  When I went outside to water plants in Buffalo this morning, the air tasted like…