EPA Proposal Could Give States More Control Over Public Input on Minor Air Permits
EPA has proposed letting state and local agencies decide more of the public-participation process for minor air permits. Comments are due August 21.
Air quality
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Penn State warns campus communities as wildfire smoke drives unhealthy air across Pennsylvania
Penn State urged students, faculty, staff and visitors to monitor air quality after wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota produced unhealthy readings in parts of Pennsylvania.
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Spokane Complex wildfire damage reaches at least 600 structures as 60,000 evacuate
The three-fire Spokane Complex caused catastrophic destruction in eastern Washington, with at least 600 structures destroyed and about 60,000 evacuations reported by Aug. 2.
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NWS warns of severe storms, flooding, dangerous heat and fire weather across U.S.
The National Weather Service is warning of simultaneous weather threats, including heavy rain, flash flooding, extreme heat, wildfire risk and smoke across multiple U.S. regions.
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Hancock cancels Key Ingredients street fair over air-quality concerns
Hancock canceled the 10th annual Key Ingredients Street Fair on July 16, one day before the Quincy Street event, citing air-quality concerns from wildfire smoke.
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Clark County submits Las Vegas Valley ozone plan to EPA
Clark County submitted a federal ozone-attainment plan for the Las Vegas Valley in July 2026, covering monitoring, transportation and emissions controls.
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St. Louis County updates wildfire evacuation zones as smoke conditions fluctuate
St. Louis County updated its wildfire evacuation zones July 28 while public-health officials continued sharing smoke-related guidance for residents, including those in Hibbing.
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Michigan issued statewide air-quality alert as Canadian wildfire smoke moved in
Michigan EGLE said smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires could push fine-particle pollution to unhealthy levels beginning July 15, 2026.
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Maryland Issues Code Red Air-Quality Alert as Wildfire Smoke Moves Into Western Part of State
The Moore administration announced a Code Red, or very unhealthy, air-quality condition in western Maryland on July 17, 2026, and urged residents to monitor readings and take protective measures.
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Wildfire Smoke, Catastrophic Flooding and Expanding Fires Hit the U.S. in Three-Front Emergency
A July 17 snapshot showed hazardous wildfire smoke in the East, catastrophic flooding in Texas and expanding fires in the Pacific Northwest as firefighting resources stretched across 15 states.
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Wildfire smoke returns to Western Washington as Spokane fires drive unhealthy-air concerns
Smoke from the Spokane Complex moved west toward Western Washington on Aug. 3-4. Here is who faces greater health risks and how residents can reduce exposure.
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Moreno Valley Workshop Highlights Proposed Truck-Route and Logistics Rules
A city-promoted Aug. 4 workshop is focusing on Moreno Valley’s truck routes and proposed PEN26-0055 ordinance, which could add warehouse siting, emissions, routing and air-filtration mitigation requirements.
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Public comment closes on Amazon data center and Duke Energy engine permits in Richmond County
North Carolina regulators have closed public comment on proposed air permits for Amazon’s Hamlet data center and 645 diesel engines. DEQ has not issued final permits.
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Louisville residents can weigh proposed Clariant air permit before Aug. 17 deadline
Written comments are due Aug. 17 on a proposed permit for a new bulk alumina container at Clariant’s Louisville West Plant.
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Missoula fire danger reaches very high as smoke, heat and wind persist
Missoula County’s fire danger is very high, outdoor burning remains closed and smoke conditions continue to shift across the valley.
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New Utah study links Great Salt Lake dust to food and human exposure pathways
A peer-reviewed Utah study found potential digestion and crop pathways for Great Salt Lake dust, but no proof of unsafe food or documented illness.
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Minneapolis among Twin Cities communities hit by hazardous wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota moved into Minneapolis and the Twin Cities on July 16, 2026, as an Air Quality Alert covered the area and heat-index values were forecast to reach 95 to 100 degrees.
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NWS warns of persistent smoke and elevated fire weather in Missoula region
The National Weather Service Missoula office says smoke from active fires in Washington and Oregon, combined with hot, dry and breezy weather, is expected to continue affecting western Montana.
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NWS Omaha records late-July air quality, severe weather and hydrology updates
The National Weather Service Omaha/Valley product table lists late-July operational updates on air quality, severe weather and hydrologic conditions, while a separate drought information statement remains in its 2026 record.
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New York City expands response to dangerous heat and worsening air quality
New York City expanded its response to dangerous heat and worsening air quality on July 15, 2026, making free KN95 masks available through libraries, police precincts, firehouses and transit hubs.
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Las Vegas heat wave brought forecast high of 114°F and elevated wildfire risk
Las Vegas was running about 10 degrees above normal as a Western heat wave brought a forecast high near 114°F on Aug. 2 and prompted warnings of elevated wildfire risk in very dry conditions.
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Henderson-area forecast showed 111°F high as late-July heat wave raised wildfire concerns
National Weather Service forecast products showed an extreme-heat warning for the Henderson area and projected a 111°F high on Saturday during the late-July regional heat wave.