safety
Fires, floods and record heat: This is the summer of compounding disasters
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 20, 2026
· 6 min read
By Andrew Freedman, CNN (CNN) — Putting your own mask on before assisting others was only supposed to be a safety instruction on an airplane, but it has applied to everyday life in the urban corridor from Washington, DC, to Boston where, for the second time in four years, smoke from wildfires in ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway At one point last week, at least 120 million Americans from Minnesota to Massachusetts were under air quality warnings due to the wildfire smoke .
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso residents are no strangers to extreme weather, but the recent compounding disasters across the country serve as a stark reminder of the region's own vulnerabilities. As a city situated in a high-desert environment, El Paso is prone to flash flooding, which can be devastating due to its unique geography. The city's location near the Rio Grande also makes it susceptible to the impacts of climate change, such as increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. With the region's own history of severe weather events, including the recent flash flooding in other parts of Texas, it is crucial for El Paso to prioritize preparedness and mitigation strategies to address the growing threat of climate-related disasters. By investing in infrastructure and emergency response plans, the city can better protect its residents and minimize the risks associated with extreme weather events.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso 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 .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Andrew Freedman, CNN (CNN) — Putting your own mask on before assisting others was only supposed to be a safety instruction on an airplane, but it has applied to everyday life in the urban corridor from Washington, DC, to Boston where, for the second time in four years, smoke from wildfires in ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter