ALBAWABA- Smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada blanketed large parts of the country on Wednesday, pushing Toronto to the top of the global list for the world's worst air quality and forcing millions of residents to cope with hazardous conditions.
According to Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir, Toronto recorded the poorest air quality of any major city worldwide as thick wildfire smoke shrouded the skyline in a dense yellow-orange haze. Air pollution reached hazardous levels, surpassing those recorded in cities that frequently struggle with severe pollution, including New Delhi and Kinshasa.
The smoke has also spread across Ottawa and large areas of Ontario, Quebec, and western Canada, prompting widespread air quality warnings. Health officials have urged residents to remain indoors as much as possible, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers where available. Some schools, outdoor programs, and public events have been canceled or relocated, while reduced visibility has disrupted transportation and affected some flights.
Canada is currently battling more than 800 active wildfires, with dozens burning out of control. The fires have already scorched millions of hectares of land, destroyed property, and forced thousands of people from their homes. Firefighters continue to battle multiple large blazes simultaneously, stretching emergency resources across vast and often remote areas.
Officials say an unusually hot and dry summer, combined with lightning storms and long-term climate trends, has created ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread rapidly. Even communities located hundreds or thousands of kilometers from the flames are experiencing dangerous air quality as smoke travels across provincial borders.
The deteriorating air quality has raised growing concerns about public health, particularly for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people living with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions. Doctors have warned that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can aggravate existing health problems and pose risks even to otherwise healthy individuals.
Environment Canada and provincial emergency agencies continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation. At the same time, the federal government has sought international assistance, including support from the United States, to reinforce firefighting efforts.
