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This stunning NASA map tracks our summer of wildfire smoke

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Why This Matters

This NASA map highlights the extensive reach of wildfire smoke, emphasizing the growing impact of climate change on air quality across North America. For the tech industry and consumers, it underscores the importance of advanced monitoring and data visualization tools in understanding and responding to environmental challenges. Recognizing these patterns can drive innovation in pollution tracking and public health preparedness.

Key Takeaways

Hundreds of fires have burned in Canada and the northwestern U.S. This visualization shows exactly how far the pollution travels. Welcome to the new normal: When the sky in New York City or Detroit turns a sickly shade of orange, your first thought might be to wonder what part of Canada is burning now. 2026 is the fourth consecutive year that smoke from Canadian fires has caused severe air pollution in cities hundreds or even thousands of miles away.