Toronto air quality improves but wildfire smoke could return Thursday night
Posted June 29, 2023 12:50 pm.
The air quality in Toronto improved on Thursday after ranking the worst in the world the day before, but wildfire smoke could return to the city and surrounding GTA tonight.
Most parts of the city reached the highest level possible on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) on Wednesday, according to Environment Canada’s website. The northern, eastern and western parts of the city were at a 10+ level out of 10 at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, while downtown was at a 9.
According to the World Air Quality Index, Toronto was number one on Wednesday afternoon with an AQI of 184, just ahead of Dubai.
A special air quality statement was in effect for Toronto and the GTA as wildfire smoke covered the region, but it was lifted on Thursday morning.
As of 11 a.m. the AQHI in Toronto sat at a 3, which is low risk.
While the air quality statement has been lifted for the GTA, it remains in place for other areas of the province, including Ottawa and most of eastern Ontario along with London and several areas in southwestern Ontario.
“Smoke plumes from forest fires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec are forecast to return to the area today or tonight. As a result, the air quality is expected to deteriorate once again. The poor air quality will likely last into Saturday,” the statement reads.
“Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations.”
CityNews meteorologist Jill Taylor says smoke-filled air could return to Toronto and the GTA on Thursday night and continue into Friday, ahead of the Canada Day long weekend.
Due to wildfire smoke, officials are cancelling fireworks in Niagara Falls on Thursday and say they will review the air quality conditions on Friday.
Special air quality statements from Environment Canada have been impacting large regions of central Canada, much of it stemming from forest fires over northeastern Ontario and Quebec.
The poor air quality warnings have cancelled some mail deliveries and curbed school recesses and sports training.
Ontario’s chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore says increased wildfire smoke is a “new normal” and suggests people get into the daily habit of checking air quality this summer.
With files from Michael Talbot of CityNews; and The Canadian Press
