Orange air quality warning
Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario issued a high-impact air quality alert Thursday at 5:22 a.m. EDT due to heavy wildfire smoke.
Health officials say everyone is at risk during heavy smoke, regardless of age or health. Residents should limit time outdoors and cancel or postpone outdoor sports and events.
Common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and mild coughing. More serious symptoms — wheezing, chest pain or severe coughing — warrant medical attention. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should seek help immediately.
People at higher risk — including those 65 and older, pregnant people, infants, young children, outdoor workers and people with chronic illnesses — should avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Officials recommend keeping windows and doors closed, using high-efficiency air filters or certified portable air cleaners, and wearing a well-fitted NIOSH-certified N95 respirator when going outside is unavoidable. If extreme heat coincides with poor air quality, staying cool remains the priority.
Residents are urged to check on neighbours and others in their care who may be more vulnerable, and to follow guidance from local authorities.
More information is available at canada.ca/wildfire-smoke, airqualityontario.com or airhealth.ca. Ontario’s Environment Ministry can be reached at 416-314-6666.
Today – July 16, 2026
Mainly cloudy. Clearing near noon. Local smoke. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 late this morning. High 31. Humidex 34. UV index 10 or very high.
Tonight
Clear. Local smoke. Low 20.
Fri, 17 Jul – Sunny. Local smoke. High 31. Humidex 34. UV index 10 or very high. Night – Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 21.
Sat, 18 Jul – Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High 30. Night – Cloudy periods with 30 percent chance of showers. Low 18.
Sun, 19 Jul – A mix of sun and cloud. High 28. Night – Cloudy periods. Low 18.
Mon, 20 Jul – A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers. High 28. Night – Cloudy periods with 30 percent chance of showers. Low 18.
Tue, 21 Jul – Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. High 22. Night – Cloudy periods. Low 16.
Wed, 22 Jul – A mix of sun and cloud. High 27.
