Blue Jays closing Rogers Centre roof on Wednesday due to poor air quality
Posted June 7, 2023 1:44 pm.
Last Updated June 7, 2023 1:50 pm.
The Toronto Blue Jays said the Rogers Centre dome will be closed for their home game on Wednesday due to the worsening air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.
Environment Canada shows a moderate, high or very high air quality risk across most of the province, with values exceptionally high in eastern Ontario. Officials have said that a lot of the smoke seen in Ontario comes from wildfires in Quebec.
“Should Environment Canada indicate that air quality has vastly improved ahead of game time, we will re-evaluate and update fans,” the club said in a statement.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 7, 2023
Toronto hosts the Houston Astros on Wednesday at 7:07 p.m. ET.
The Blue Jays will play at the Rogers Centre for the next several games, concluding their homestand on Sunday, June 11, against the Minnesota Twins. The dome was open Tuesday in Toronto’s 5-1 win over the Astros.
RELATED: When can we expect wildfire smoke to clear out of the GTA?
A Special Air Quality statement remains in place for Toronto and is expected to impact conditions for the rest of the week. Much of the province is also under a fire ban.
According to Ontario’s Air Quality Health Index, as of Wednesday afternoon, Toronto ranks a 6 out of 10, meaning moderate risk. By Thursday, most of the city is projected to be considered a 9 out of 10 on the index, indicating a high risk.
“Smoke plumes from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario have resulted in deteriorated air quality,” Canada’s weather agency noted.
“Poor air quality will persist into the weekend. Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.”
Environment Canada has warned that wildfire smoke can be harmful to public health, even at low concentrations.
