Canada’s record wildfire smoke in 2023 is part of a broader, continuing continent-wide trend toward smokier skies across North America. Wildfire smoke contributes to approximately 40,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone. Home filtration, public clean-air shelters or other approaches will be crucial as wildfire smoke becomes more common during North American summers.
news.climate.columbia.edu/2026/01/20/get-ready-for-smokier-air-record-2023-wildfire-smoke-marks-long-term-shift-in-north-american-air-quality/