Canadian Wildfire Smoke Blankets New York, Affects MLB Game
New York experienced hazy conditions due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, impacting an MLB game between the Mets and Phillies. The game's start was moved up because of the smoky air, which caused irritation and a campfire-like atmosphere for attendees.

New York, NY, July 16, 2026 —
New York City was enveloped in hazy conditions on Tuesday, a result of smoke drifting south from ongoing wildfires in Canada. The significant air quality impact was noticeable, even affecting a Major League Baseball game.
The Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies saw its start time pushed forward due to the smoky air. Attendees reported a distinct campfire-like atmosphere, with the air quality causing irritation for some.
The exact origin and severity of the Canadian wildfires were not detailed in the provided information, nor were specific air quality index (AQI) readings for New York at the time of the game. The duration of the hazy conditions was also not specified.
The smoke created an unusual environment for the sporting event, with visible haze impacting visibility and the sensory experience for players and spectators alike. Further details regarding any health advisories issued by local authorities during the event were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Dan Martin on nypost.com, see more information here.