What to know
- Toronto is experiencing a second consecutive day of hazardous air quality as wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario continues to blanket the city.
- The Air Quality Health Index remains at 10, the highest risk level, and Environment Canada is urging residents to avoid prolonged outdoor activity.
- Infants, seniors, pregnant people, those with chronic health conditions and outdoor workers are among those most vulnerable to smoke-related health effects.
- Poor air quality forced the cancellation of FIFA Fan Festival events and the closure of outdoor pools and wading pools on Wednesday.
Torontonians are waking up to a second consecutive day of hazy skies and hazardous air quality as smoke from wildfires burning in northwestern Ontario continues to blanket the city.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Toronto and much of Ontario, warning that smoke levels pose a risk to people’s health.
As of publication, Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) remains at 10, the highest risk category, indicating a very high health risk for anyone exposed to the outdoor air.
An orange air quality alert also remains in effect for the city. Environment Canada says conditions are expected to begin improving as early as Friday morning.
Meanwhile, air monitoring service IQAir ranked Toronto as having the second-worst air quality in the world at the time of publication, behind Detroit.
Health officials urge residents to limit outdoor activity
Until air quality improves, residents and visitors are encouraged to take extra precautions when spending time outdoors.
Environment Canada advises people to limit time outside and consider rescheduling or cancelling outdoor sports, activities and events.
Who is most at risk?
Those affected by the poor air quality may experience symptoms including eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, or a mild cough.
Less common but more serious symptoms include wheezing, chest pain and a severe cough. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical attention.
The weather agency says those most vulnerable to wildfire smoke include infants, pregnant people, seniors, people with chronic illnesses or underlying health conditions, and those who work outdoors.
Smoke disrupts events and city services
The deteriorating air quality disrupted several events across Toronto on Wednesday, prompting the cancellation of multiple FIFA-related watch parties, including the FIFA Fan Festival.
The City of Toronto also closed outdoor pools and wading pools because of the poor air quality, despite the city being under a heat warning at the time.
As of Thursday, the heat warning has ended. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 20s, though air quality remains the primary weather concern.
Environment Canada issues Air Quality Warnings when pollution reaches levels that can pose health risks to everyone. During these events, residents are advised to reduce strenuous outdoor activity, keep windows closed where possible and consider using air filtration indoors.
