In June 2023, a surreal glowing orange haze descended on New York City and across other East Coast locations as winds concentrated and redirected smoke from Canada wildfires. The smoke eventually lessened, but continued causing widespread unhealthy air quality in the United States throughout the spring and summer.
There are signs that this summer could bring a similar problem, as June 2025 brings hazy skies and air quality concerns in some areas.
The bad news: Smoke will likely be an ongoing health hazard across North America for the next few months.
"Communities across both Canada and the United States should stay informed about air quality advisories and be prepared for potential health impacts related to smoke exposure," atmospheric scientist Djordje Romanic of McGill University told USA TODAY in an e-mail June 4.
The circumstances that led to the smoky chaos of 2023 were unique.
