safety
Wildfires expose millions in Midwest, Northeast to dangerous smoke
By The Associated Press at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 15, 2026
· 1 min read
Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week, exposing millions of people to dangerous air pollution.
Key takeaway this week, exposing millions of people to dangerous air pollution.
Why this matters in The El Paso
While El Paso is not directly affected by the Canadian and Minnesota wildfires, the situation serves as a warning for local residents to be prepared for potential wildfires in the Franklin Mountains or other areas of the county. The city's geography, with its mix of desert and mountainous terrain, creates a unique fire risk. As the region enters the hot summer months, the risk of wildfires increases, and residents should take precautions to prevent fires and be aware of air quality alerts. Local authorities and emergency responders are likely monitoring the situation in the Midwest and Northeast, and El Pasoans can expect to see increased vigilance and preparedness measures in place to mitigate the risk of wildfires and poor air quality in the city. This includes continued efforts to educate the public on fire safety and prevention.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . 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 KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week, exposing millions of people to dangerous air pollution.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Associated Press at KTSM 9 News (NBC). 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 .
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