TORONTO – Environment Canada reported that Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index reached 10+, classified as ‘extremely high risk’, with hazardous conditions expected to continue until the evening.
The wildfire smoke, originating from forest fires burning in sparsely populated areas hundreds of miles away, has travelled across a wide area, affecting parts of Canada and the northeastern United States.
Authorities advised residents to reduce outdoor activities, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people and those with respiratory or heart conditions.
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New York City also reported deteriorating air quality, with local authorities issuing warnings after pollution levels reached unhealthy levels. The US National Weather Service said smoke conditions could continue into early next week.
Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir ranked Toronto as the city with the worst air quality globally, followed by Kinshasa and Delhi, while New York ranked fifth.
The Canadian government said around 835 active wildfires were burning across the country on Wednesday, including 112 fires considered out of control. So far, approximately 4.7 million acres have been affected, with the majority of fires concentrated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
