safety
Canadian wildfire smoke blankets D.C., Chicago and Detroit
By Brendan Cullerton at KGNS — Sitewide
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning in Canada has blanketed Washington, Chicago and Detroit. The Environmental Protection Agency described them as the three cities the most polluted major cities in the world.In Washington, the air quality has reached “Code Purple” — ...
Key takeaway The EPA said everyone in “Code Purple” air quality conditions should cut back on outdoor activities, avoid strenuous outdoor exertion, keep any outdoor time short and consider moving activities inside.
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Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning in Canada has blanketed Washington, Chicago and Detroit. The Environmental Protection Agency described them as the three cities the most polluted major cities in the world.In Washington, the air quality has reached “Code Purple” — ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brendan Cullerton at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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