Wildfire smoke engulfs millions in US ahead of World Cup final
17 July 2026
New York (AFP) - Dense wildfire smoke billowing down from Canada set off unhealthy air quality alerts across the United States again Friday, fomenting concern over the weekend's World Cup final outside New York.Detroit and Chicago posted air quality index readings in the 'hazardous' range, with tracker IQAir saying they were the top polluted cities in the world.Winds drifting south meant the capital Washington was also hard-hit, coming in at the second-highest 'very unhealthy' ranking on the index, when authorities urge all people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.In New York and neighbor…
