Canadian wildfires in mid-July 2026 sent dense smoke plumes southward, degrading air quality across the northern United States and prompting health alerts in multiple states. The recurring seasonal event underscores how climate-driven fire seasons now affect populations far from the burn zones. The cartoon depicts the Statue of Liberty wearing a gas mask while clutching a newspaper headlined on the spreading smoke, signaling that even national symbols of openness now require protection from environmental fallout.
Rick McKee's cartoon shows two stern FBI agents in vests and caps, carrying a limp, bearded man who's clearly intoxicated, complete with hiccups and swirling symbols overhead, clutching a bottle marked XXX. The sign above reads 'Kash and Carry,' a clear pun tying into Kash Patel, the figure depicted. This piece tags into FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, drunk, alcohol, agents, criminal justice, and domestic policy, poking at the idea of leadership in a haze. The dry humor lands on the absurdity of carrying someone unfit, visually straightforward without hidden layers. Newspapers love this kind of sharp, unambiguous satire that comments on current events without overcomplicating the message.
Graeme MacKay's cartoon parodies Michelangelo's Creation of Adam, with Auston Matthews as the reaching figure in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey marked 34 and Team USA medal, extending toward Wayne Gretzky in a suit with Kings 99 pin. Above Gretzky floats a MAGA banner alongside caricatures of Donald Trump and Kash Patel. Below, Brady Tkachuk in jersey 7 falls away with a medal. The title 'The Creation of Auston' underscores themes of Hockey, Politics, Identity, Allegiance, and Legacy, blending Sports with satirical commentary on American ties in Canadian icons.
The image splits into two panels contrasting responses to wildfires. On the left a beaver representing Canada pledges water bombers and firefighters when the US faces fires. On the right an elephant and a figure resembling Trump tell Canada to stop smoking and rake forests. The composition uses smoke and flames to frame each side. Publication occurs amid ongoing summer wildfire activity affecting air quality in both nations.
The Statue of Liberty stands holding a green oxygen tank in one hand and a clipboard marked Canadian Wildfire Smoke in the other. A mask covers the face with a tube connected to the tank. A speech bubble states Yearning to Breathe Free. Smoke clouds fill the background. The scene shows the figure equipped for breathing in poor air conditions linked to fires north of the border.
The cartoon depicts a standing beachgoer complimenting another's tan while the reclining figure, holding a newspaper about 600 wildfires, replies that the darkness is soot. The scene is set outside the forest fire zone with the caption noting the contrast. Published on August 15, 2018, it responds to widespread wildfires producing haze and particulates that affected areas far from the flames themselves.
The image shows a man in a denier shirt bound to a post amid flames and smoke. A second figure stands nearby also tied. The words climate change appear on the ground below. A caption has the denier asking for Visine because smoke from global wildfires clouds vision. The scene responds to 2018 reports of widespread fires in California and other regions linked to warming trends.
