Delhi's Diwali Firecracker Debate and Michigan's Ridge Fire — October 30, 2026

Today's news covers a push to cut firecracker smoke in Delhi ahead of Diwali, a slow-burning fire in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and a look back at two Montana wildfires.

India's Supreme Court floats celebrity help against Diwali firecrackers

Amid concerns over air pollution in Delhi-NCR, a Supreme Court bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale suggested enlisting celebrities and prominent sports figures in public awareness programs, Cricket Addictor reports. Justice Sundresh named cricketer Virat Kohli as someone who could ask people to celebrate the upcoming Diwali without firecrackers.

The bench noted that firecrackers were not originally part of the festival of lights. The goal of the suggested campaigns is to raise awareness of the pollution firecrackers add to the air.

Michigan's Ridge Fire still under daily watch

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is still monitoring the Ridge Fire about 10 miles northwest of Marquette, CBS News reports. Wind recently pushed it about 30 acres further, to almost 500 acres, though rocky terrain, trails and roads have helped keep it from spreading. The fire was first spotted from an airplane on Oct. 9 and is burning in fallen leaves and other organic matter.

A DNR fire supervisor said "season-ending rain and/or snow" will stop it. The DNR is also watching the Craig Lake and Black River fires, which officials confirmed were started by lightning. People who live nearby may still see and smell smoke. On smoky days, closing windows is a simple step.

Montana looks back on the Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes fires

The Billings Gazette revisits two memorable Montana wildfires. The Sand Creek Fire damaged the lift at Maverick Mountain Ski Area in August, while other ski structures survived and Elkhorn Hot Springs escaped major damage. "Red flag days" made the fires worse.

Sources

• Virat Kohli's name comes up in Supreme Court hearing on Diwali celebration — Cricket Addictor
• Michigan DNR monitoring wildfire in Marquette County as wind contributes to its spread — CBS News
• Sand Creek and Bobcat Lakes wildfires were memorable threats — Billings Gazette

Canairy aggregates publicly reported air-quality and wildfire news and summarizes it in plain English, with links to the original sources. This is educational information, not medical or emergency advice. In a wildfire or air-quality emergency, follow guidance from local authorities.