EPA Statement on Cross-Border Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Impact on U.S.

EPA Statement on Cross-Border Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Impact on U.S.

July 17, 2026

WASHINGTON - Today, amid a large portion of the United States currently experiencing wildfire smoke from Canada, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin released the following statement:

"The impacts of the Canadian wildfires are causing great concern and harm across the United States. Since the U.S. first started to experience the impact of the wildfires, EPA has been working around the clock on behalf of impacted Americans. The agency is using our resources to monitor air quality and provide the public with timely access to our data. We are in direct communication with the Canadian government, as well as federal, state, local, and Tribal partners," said EPA Administrator Zeldin. "We are going to remain continuously engaged with Canadian leadership at the highest levels of their government and strongly encourage them to do everything in their power to extinguish these fires as fast as possible. EPA will do everything in the agency's authority to continue to protect human health and the environment throughout this event. Providing clean air for all Americans remains a top priority of the Trump EPA."

EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) and AirNow's Fire and Smoke Map are vital resources for Americans to check throughout the day to get updates on their local air quality and take the necessary steps to reduce smoke exposure and protect their health. This map, produced in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), provides timely information about wildfire smoke, smoke outlooks, and fire locations. State and local air quality agencies and public health agencies are also providing information on their websites.

As part of the agency's response to the wildfires, EPA has also deployed a Vehicle Add-On Mobile Monitoring System for use by the USFS in Minnesota. EPA's Wildfire Smoke Air Monitoring Response Technology project loans out specific air monitoring technologies to state, local, and Tribal air agencies to support supplemental air monitoring in areas that experience wildfire smoke.

EPA is committed to full transparency to the public as the Canadian wildfires continue and the agency will keep working to ensure Americans have all necessary information.

Hear more from Administrator Zeldin on the wildfiresExit EPA's website.

Stay informed on current air quality with EPA resources:

• EPA's AirNow's Fire and Smoke Map includes the most comprehensive information about current wildfire smoke and air quality.
• Air quality can change rapidly. Stay up to date on current air quality and forecasts near you through the AirNow app, which includes the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Follow EPA and State and local air quality and public health agencies on various digital channels to stay updated on air quality conditions and steps to protect your health.
• Check to see if an air quality alert has been issued for your area through the National Weather ServiceExit EPA's website.
• A specialized Smoke Outlook may be issued for your area and can be viewed in the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map or through the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response ProgramExit EPA's website.

Protect your health during a smoke event

Wildfire smoke can impact human health. Most people will recover quickly from smoke exposure and will not have long-lasting health effects. However, everyone should take precautions when the air quality index trends into unhealthy (red), very unhealthy (purple), and hazardous levels (maroon).

Smoke from outdoors can enter your home and make the air indoors unhealthy to breathe. Being prepared to reduce wildfire smoke exposure indoors is important, especially for those who are at greatest risk of health impacts, including children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease. Visit EPA's Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality webpage to learn how you can protect your family from wildfire smoke.

Visit EPA's wildfires webpage for additional resources and to learn more about what EPA is doing to help communities across the country prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildland fires and smoke events.