Toronto air quality worst globally as Canadian wildfire smoke blankets city, disrupts events

Toronto experienced the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday as smoke from devastating wildfires in Canada blanketed the city, turning skies orange and prompting health warnings. The Canadian environmental agency rated Toronto's air quality index at 10+, categorizing it as "very high risk." The Swiss technology company IQAir, which measures air quality, ranked Toronto first on its global list of cities with the worst air quality, surpassing Kinshasa and Delhi.

The smoke from the wildfires, which are burning hundreds of kilometers away in the northwest of Ontario, has also drifted into the northeastern United States, affecting cities like New York City. Authorities in New York issued warnings and advised residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. The air quality index in New York City reached 180 on Wednesday evening, classified as "unhealthy" by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Canadian officials reported that 835 wildfires were burning across the country on Wednesday, with 112 of them out of control. The fires have already burned an area of 1.9 million hectares. Despite the fires being in sparsely populated areas, the smoke has caused significant disruptions in major cities.

In Toronto, the poor air quality led to the cancellation of the FIFA Fanfest and a public viewing event for the World Cup match between England and Argentina. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. The dangerous conditions are expected to persist until Thursday night.

Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires to climate change. Greg Evans, a professor at the University of Toronto, stated, "I expect this to happen more frequently in the coming decades, so cities and residents need to prepare for this in the future."

The smoke contains microscopic particles known as PM2.5s, which can exacerbate medical conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions like asthma or lung disease. Health experts recommend limiting outdoor activities to reduce exposure to these particles.

The wildfires and the resulting smoke have also coincided with a heat wave in the region, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas. This combination of extreme heat and poor air quality poses additional health risks.

The smoke is expected to continue affecting the Northeast US on Thursday, with conditions potentially worsening in some areas. Cities like Duluth, Minnesota, have seen their air quality index exceed 500, categorized as "hazardous" and considered unsafe for everyone.

Canadian authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for some areas in northwestern Ontario, although the fires themselves do not pose a direct threat to major cities. The situation highlights the far-reaching impact of wildfires, even in areas not directly affected by the flames.

The wildfires in Canada are part of a growing trend of increasingly severe wildfires driven by climate change. Experts warn that such events are likely to become more frequent and intense in the coming decades, necessitating better preparation and response strategies from cities and residents.

The smoke from the wildfires has turned skies hazy from Minnesota to New York, with particularly dramatic images emerging from Toronto, where commuters went to work under orange skies on Wednesday morning. The region is also dealing with a heat wave, with temperatures well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas and an even higher heat index.

On Wednesday evening, the air quality index in New York City topped out at 180, putting the city's air squarely in the “unhealthy” category as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Other places were even worse off, with Duluth, Minnesota, seeing its AQI top out above 500. Anything over 301 is labeled “hazardous” and considered unsafe for everyone.

Smoky conditions are expected to worsen in parts of the Northeast US on Thursday, including New York. The wildfire smoke blanketing the area contains microscopic particles of matter known as PM2.5s—shorthand for particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, or 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Exposure to PM2.5s can trigger or worsen a number of medical conditions, especially in vulnerable populations.

Nicholas Nassikas, a pulmonologist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says that he would tell his patients with preexisting conditions, like asthma or lung disease, to limit their time outside. Children “have a faster breathing rate—they just breathe more,” says Nassikas, while the elderly, who often have compounding conditions and may live in less well ventilated homes and senior centers, are also at risk.

Jennifer Stowell, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health, says that even healthy adults may want to take precautions on days when the air quality index goes over 100: “At the very least, it is important to limit your time outdoors to reduce your overall exposure.” she says.

The wildfires themselves are burning in thinly populated areas hundreds of kilometers from Toronto and do not pose a direct threat to the cities. However, the smoke has caused significant disruptions and health concerns.

The Canadian government reported that as of Wednesday, there were around 835 fires burning across the country, with 112 of them out of control. So far, an area of 1.9 million hectares has been burned.

Experts believe that such events will become more frequent due to climate change. Greg Evans, a professor at the University of Toronto, said, “I expect that this will happen more frequently in the coming decades, so cities and residents need to prepare for this in the future.”

The smoke from the wildfires has also affected the Midwest and Northeast US, with cities across the region issuing air quality warnings. The smoke has turned skies hazy from Minnesota to New York, with particularly dramatic images emerging from Toronto, where commuters went to work under orange skies on Wednesday morning.

The region is also dealing with a heat wave, with temperatures well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas and an even higher heat index. On Wednesday evening, the air quality index in New York City topped out at 180, putting the city's air squarely in the “unhealthy” category as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Other places were even worse off, with Duluth, Minnesota, seeing its AQI top out above 500. Anything over 301 is labeled “hazardous” and considered unsafe for everyone.

Smoky conditions are expected to worsen in parts of the Northeast US on Thursday, including New York. The wildfire smoke blanketing the area contains microscopic particles of matter known as PM2.5s—shorthand for particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, or 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

Exposure to PM2.5s can trigger or worsen a number of medical conditions, especially in vulnerable populations. Nicholas Nassikas, a pulmonologist and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says that he would tell his patients with preexisting conditions, like asthma or lung disease, to limit their time outside.

Children “have a faster breathing rate—they just breathe more,” says Nassikas, while the elderly, who often have compounding conditions and may live in less well ventilated homes and senior centers, are also at risk.

Jennifer Stowell, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health, says that even healthy adults may want to take precautions on days when the air quality index goes over 100: “At the very least, it is important to limit your time outdoors to reduce your overall exposure.” she says.

The wildfires themselves are burning in thinly populated areas hundreds of kilometers from Toronto and do not pose a direct threat to the cities. However, the smoke has caused significant disruptions and health concerns.

The Canadian government reported that as of Wednesday, there were around 835 fires burning across the country, with 112 of them out of control. So far, an area of 1.9 million hectares has been burned.

Experts believe that such events will become more frequent due to climate change. Greg Evans, a professor at the University of Toronto, said, “I expect that this will happen more frequently in the coming decades, so cities and residents need to prepare for this in the future.”