IBNS-CMEDIA: Toronto remained shrouded in thick wildfire smoke on Wednesday after Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued an orange air quality warning, prompting health advisories, reduced visibility and the cancellation of several outdoor events as smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario drifted across southern Canada.
Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reached 10+, the highest “Very High Risk” category, while Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir ranked the city as having the worst air quality among major cities worldwide on Wednesday.
Environment Canada warned that wildfire smoke was causing “very poor air quality and reduced visibility” and advised residents to limit time outdoors, postpone or cancel outdoor activities, and keep windows and doors closed where possible.
The agency said everyone could be affected by the smoke, with older adults, children, pregnant people, individuals with pre-existing health conditions and outdoor workers facing a higher risk of adverse health effects.
The agency said people experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, chest pain or severe coughing should seek immediate medical attention.
It also recommended using portable air cleaners where available and wearing a well-fitted N95 or equivalent respirator if outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, smoky conditions are expected to persist through Thursday, with air quality likely to improve by Friday morning as weather systems shift.
The deteriorating conditions led organisers to cancel several outdoor events, including Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival and a public FIFA World Cup watch party, Reuters reported.
Wildfire smoke in St. Catharines, Ontario, and the Niagara Region. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The smoke originated from hundreds of active wildfires burning across Ontario and other Canadian provinces.
Reuters, citing the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, reported that Canada is battling 835 active wildfires, including 112 classified as out of control, with nearly 1.9 million hectares burnt so far this season.
The smoke has also drifted into parts of the United States, prompting air quality alerts across portions of the Midwest and Northeast, The Associated Press reported, as authorities warned residents to stay indoors where possible and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
