Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 16 July 2026

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

 Smoke From Canada’s Wildfires Turns Skies Sickly Orange Across the Eastern US

Smoke from more than 100 uncontrolled wildfires in Ontario, Canada has spread nearly 1,000 miles across the Midwest and Northeast United States, prompting widespread air quality alerts as hazy and even orange skies stretch from Minnesota to New York. The smoke arrived during a heat wave, creating an added health concern as temperatures climbed well above 90 °F in many areas of the country. In New City, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 180, a result categorized as “unhealthy”, while Duluth, Minnesota, exceeded 500, a hazardous level for even those without medical risks. The smoke from the fires contains fine PM2.5 particles, tiny airborne pollutants about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair that can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. These particles can worsen asthma, lung disease, and other respiratory conditions. Children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions face the greatest risks. Health experts note that even healthy individuals can experience adverse effects during prolonged smoke events and, while N95 masks help reduce exposure to fine particles, they do not filter all harmful gases in wildfire smoke.

Analyst Comments: Faith-based organizations often host outdoor services, community events, camps, and outreach activities that can leave congregants, volunteers, and staff outside during prolonged periods of poor air quality. Monitoring local Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts and wildfire smoke alerts can help leaders evaluate whether adjustments to outdoor activities are necessary. Indoor spaces that serve as gathering places or cooling centers may experience increased demand during prolonged smoke and heat events, making ventilation and indoor air quality an important consideration. Smoke conditions can change quickly, even in communities located far from active wildfires, so awareness of regional forecasts remains valuable for event planning and congregant safety during wildfire season.

ICYMI: FB-ISAO’s 2025 Threat Data Report | Vandalism, Violence, Arson, Active Shooters, Cyber Attacks, and More: Understanding Today’s Threats to Houses of Worship Across All Faith Communities

Houses of worship and faith‑based organizations are facing increasing levels of hostility, from vandalism and arson to active‑shooter events, bomb threats, hate‑motivated violence, and cyber-attacks on their systems and data. Join the Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization for a focused review of the much-anticipated cumulative threat data on attacks and incidents impacting churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other houses of worship during 2025.

During this session, Ed Heyman and Ross Moore will:

• Walk through key statistics from recent incidents impacting houses of worship and faith‑based organizations, including vandalism, arson, threats, and violence.
• Highlight notable hate‑motivated and extremist attacks against religious institutions and how those trends are evolving across time and different faith traditions.
• Review recent cyber incidents affecting faith‑based organizations – such as ransomware campaigns and online harassment – and discuss common entry points and vulnerabilities.
• Discuss practical implications for security planning, training, and partnership with law enforcement, emergency management, and community organizations.
• Point to free tools, templates, and grant programs that can help congregations strengthen their security posture and preparedness without overwhelming budgets or staff.

This presentation is designed for clergy, executive leaders, safety, security, and intelligence team members, board members, and anyone responsible for protecting the people, facilities, and ministries of a faith‑based organization. No advanced technical background is required; the focus is on clear, plain‑language insight into current threats and realistic steps faith communities can take to reduce risk.

The webinar will take place on 22 July 2026 at 12:00 PM ET, when we’ll unpack what the data is telling us and what leaders should be watching now. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of current trends, risk drivers, and practical steps to strengthen security, preparedness, and resilience in their own communities.

Register here  : This is a members-only event.