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Toronto to see its worst air quality levels so far today. Here’s how long it’s expected to last

Toronto recorded some of the worst air quality in the world earlier this week as smoke blanketed the city. Here’s what you need to know.

Thestar.com
June 8, 2023
Joshua Chong
Kevin Jiang

Toronto recorded some of the worst air quality in the world earlier this week as smoke from wildfires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario blanketed the city, obscuring the skyline with a yellow-tinted haze.

However, the worst is still yet to come, officials warn, with the poorest air quality levels so far this week set to arrive in Toronto on Thursday.

Here’s everything you need to know.

How bad will the air quality be in Toronto?
As of Wednesday, Environment Canada is forecasting the air quality health index for Toronto to reach a level 9 on Thursday, indicating a “high risk” to health. The federal department predicts air quality will enter into high-risk levels starting at 7 a.m. on Thursday. By comparison, the air quality health index peaked at a level 7 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

How long is the poor air quality expected to last?
Unfortunately, there’s little short-term relief expected on the horizon. In their most recent special air quality statement issued Wednesday, Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario said poor air quality “will persist into the weekend.” The federal government’s national wildfire smoke model, with projected forecasts for the next 72 hours, shows the GTA covered with smoke into Saturday morning.

“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” said David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada, in an interview Tuesday. “So it is a long bout. It’s not just a one-day wonder.”

How many wildfires are there?
As of Wednesday afternoon, there are 52 active fires burning in Ontario, according to the website for the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Dozens of additional forest fires continue to burn in western and northern Quebec.

Why is the air quality so poor in Toronto?
Despite being located hundreds of kilometres away from the major wildfires, Toronto has been significantly impacted by the resulting smoke and air pollution. That’s because winds have pushed the wildfire smoke from Quebec and northeastern Ontario to southern Ontario and the GTA.

Earlier in the week, Toronto saw northwesterly winds, bringing in smoke from fires burning in northern Ontario, explained Phillips.

But later in the week, “we’re going to see the winds shift more to the east and that’s a concern because it’s going to take the smoke from the Quebec fires, which are much more prevalent right now, and move it through Eastern Ontario, and down through the GTA,” he continued.

Toronto events cancelled over wildfire smoke
The Toronto Zoo is reducing its hours on Thursday, operating from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. They encourage guests to reschedule their visits that day, and to wear a mask if unable. Live horse races at Woodbine Mohawk Park are also cancelled Thursday, in consideration of the “Health and safety of the horses and racing participants,” Woodbine said in a statement.

The City of Toronto adjusted its programming around the smoke, including cancelling some of its city-run outdoor recreation programs scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Other programs were able to be moved indoors.

“Program registrants are being contacted directly and will be provided updates on any future cancellations or other changes,” Toronto said in a statement. City sport fields, baseball diamonds and parks will remain open.

Meanwhile, the city-operated Toronto Early Learning & Child Care Centres will be suspending outdoor activities; parents and guardians will receive direct updates as the situation progresses.

For people experiencing homelessness, Toronto is working to set up temporary contingency spaces at various shelters -- like common rooms and other areas not used for sleeping -- to accommodate more people inside. Toronto’s Streets to Homes community outreach team is performing wellness checks, offering water and encouraging people living outside to come indoors.

Toronto History Museums has also cancelled all outdoor programming until the Special Air Quality Statement lifts. St. Lawrence Market is currently reviewing its outdoor programming and will update its website should anything change.

How GTA school boards are reacting
School boards across the GTA have issued warnings over the smoke, with some limiting outdoor activity. These include the Toronto District School Board, which will be rescheduling or moving indoors all outdoor activities on Thursday. Included are “recess, athletic events, field trips and local school events.”

The Toronto Catholic District School Board recommended schools to “consider indoor recess” and to reschedule outdoor activities should students or staff have respiratory conditions. “We also reminded schools that using classroom HEPA Air Purifiers” helps reduce smoke particulates indoors, the board said.

The Peel District School Board encouraged students to “monitor how they are feeling for symptoms,” noting health impacts may be felt days after smoke exposure. While recesses are still outdoors, they recommend students avoid strenuous physical activity and will accommodate those who wish to stay inside when possible.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will be shortening the length of outdoor recesses on Wednesday and Thursday. Like other boards, they encourage students to avoid strenuous activity and said “schools will make every attempt to accommodate those who wish to stay inside or are experiencing symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation.”

The Durham District School Board has postponed or moved indoors all recess and outdoor activities as of Wednesday, and will be monitoring and providing daily updates on its website as the situation evolves.

The Durham Catholic District School Board also moved recess indoors as of Wednesday, with track and field moved inside for the day and its remaining events cancelled. “We anticipate similar recommendations will be in place on Thursday,” they said.

The Halton District School Board has cancelled all sports activities and will continue to monitor as the situation changes. The Halton Catholic District School Board did not issue an update as of Wednesday evening.

Will my flight be delayed due to the smoke?
New York City became the most polluted major city in the world on Wednesday, causing over 1,600 incoming flights to be delayed over poor visibility. But major airports in the GTA aren’t as worried.

A representative of Pearson Airport told the Star they’re experiencing no impact to operations on Wednesday and “are not anticipating an impact over the next 48 hours, when air quality is forecast to improve.” Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport is also “not seeing any decrease in capacity” as of Wednesday, they told the Star.

WestJet and Porter Airlines told the Star they haven’t had or anticipate any delays due to smoke. Should this change, a spokesperson for WestJet said a notice will be posted to their website and impacted travellers will be notified over email.

Air Canada told the Star it’s “monitoring this situation closely,” and that some flights between Toronto and New York City on Wednesday were adjusted due to the latter's poor visibility

How can you protect yourself from the wildfire smoke?
Experts say you can protect yourself by taking these precautions: