Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Updated on Jun. 8, 2023, 1:27 PM
Southern Ontario is getting a taste of dreadful wildfire smoke, unlike anything ever experienced before
visit The Weather Network’s wildfire hub to keep up with the latest on the active start to wildfire season across Canada.
With surface smoke traveling south this week, poor air quality has become a significant concern for major cities like Ottawa and Montreal, with even residents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) feeling the impact. Some of these regions have recorded some of their worst air quality in recent times.
As of Thursday morning, there are around 140 active wildfires burning in Quebec and scores of fires burning in northern Ontario, as well. By this time last year, 202 fires had burned throughout Quebec. This year so far, the province has seen over 440 wildfires, with roughly 638,000 hectares of land burned — already surpassing the 1991 total of about 350,000 hectares.
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Widespread special air quality statements are still in effect for both provinces, but with the worst of the air quality expected to impact parts of the GTA on Thursday. People are being urged to keep their doors and windows closed and to reduce time spent outdoors.
“Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. Continue to take actions to protect your health and reduce exposure to smoke,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the statement. “People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”
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Severe air quality issues expected Thursday, but with cloud cover a big ‘wild card’
Thursday is projected to be the worst timeframe for air quality in the GTA, a situation that most in southern Ontario have not experienced before.
“We are anticipating some of the most dreadful air quality ever recorded in Toronto and nearby regions,” warned Tyler Hamilton, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, adding that the dangerous smoke plume could result in light ashfall accumulation, as well.
