What to know
- Toronto has cancelled Wednesday’s FIFA Fan Festival and Nathan Phillips Square World Cup match broadcast for England vs. Argentina World Cup semi-final because of an Orange Air Quality Warning.
- The city has also closed all wading pools, cancelled outdoor CampTO activities and moved outdoor workers indoors where possible.
- Outdoor pools will remain open, but morning outdoor swimming lessons have been cancelled.
- Officials say wildfire smoke poses a health risk to everyone and are urging residents to limit time outdoors where possible.
Toronto has cancelled Wednesday’s FIFA Fan Festival, Nathan Phillips Square broadcast of the England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final and several outdoor programs as wildfire smoke continues to blanket the city.
The City of Toronto announced the cancellations after Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an Orange Air Quality Warning, saying smoke from northern Ontario wildfires has pushed pollution to levels that can affect everyone’s health.
Wednesday’s FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York and The Bentway has been cancelled, along with the World Cup match broadcast scheduled for Nathan Phillips Square.
Organizers say premium ticket holders for the Fan Festival will be contacted about refunds.
Residents hoping to watch Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal are encouraged to head to indoor watch parties or local bars and restaurants instead.
Outdoor programs also affected
The city has also closed all wading pools for the day because they are primarily used by young children, who are among those most vulnerable to wildfire smoke.
Morning outdoor swimming lessons have been cancelled, although outdoor pools remain open.
Outdoor CampTO trips and registered outdoor programs have also been cancelled, postponed or moved indoors where possible. City staff working outside are also being moved indoors where operationally possible to reduce smoke exposure.
Officials urge residents to stay indoors
Toronto Public Health says wildfire smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, headaches, difficulty breathing and chest pain.
Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or lung conditions are at greater risk, but officials say poor air quality can affect everyone.
Residents are encouraged to postpone outdoor activities, monitor the Air Quality Health Index and wear a well-fitted N95 respirator if spending time outside is unavoidable.
The city has also opened Cleaner Air Spaces at City Hall, Metro Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre.
Toronto remains under both an Air Quality Warning and a Heat Warning as wildfire smoke from northern Ontario combines with hot, humid weather.
Earlier Wednesday, Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index reached the highest “very high risk” category, while the city also ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities because of wildfire smoke.
