Much of Ontario remains under special air quality statements or warnings today amid smoke from wildfires burning in other parts of Canada.
Air quality warnings Environment Canada issued on Thursday for parts of northern Ontario remain in place today as wildfires scorch Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, with heavy smoke causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.
The agency says regions including Kenora, Fort Hope and Sandy Lake could see extremely high levels of air pollution for several days, but smoke is expected to become more localized as of Saturday evening.
It says parts of central and eastern Ontario, including the Muskoka region and Ottawa, are under a special air quality statement due to the smoke, adding conditions should gradually improve today.
Much of southern Ontario was under an air quality statement on Thursday and Friday that lifted early Saturday morning.
Swiss air quality tracker IQAir marked air quality in Toronto and Montreal among the worst in the world as of Saturday morning.
Environment Canada says residents should consider limiting time outdoors and be mindful of smoke exposure symptoms.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2025.
The Canadian Press
