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Environment Canada has updated its poor air quality warning to orange in Toronto due to heavy smoke conditions from wildfires.
In the orange-level air quality warning, the federal weather agency says smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility for much of southern Ontario.
The poor air quality began Tuesday night and may last through to Friday morning, the weather agency says. The warning comes as the city remains under a yellow heat warning.
Toronto ranked first in a list of the world’s most polluted major cities as of Wednesday morning, according to a global ranking by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company.
“The air quality values have spiked quite high due to the particulate matter from that forest fire smoke,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Owsiak.
He said the smoke will likely “flush” out with the shift in wind direction coming later in the week or during the weekend.
The presence of smoke is typical in Canada during wildfire season, said Eric Kennedy, an associate professor and expert on wildfire management at York University.
He urged people to be precautious and to consider wearing a mask if going outdoors. Even low levels of smoke can cause health impacts for some people, Kennedy told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.
Environment Canada urged people to “reschedule or cancel” outdoor activities and to limit time outside.
The University of Toronto cancelled the FIFA World Cup watch party for the Argentina-England match due to the air quality warning.
Residents may experience symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, chest pains or severe cough. Those more likely to be affected by smoke include seniors, pregnant people, young children, people with an existing health condition and people who work outdoors.
While Wednesday won’t be as hot as Tuesday, Owsiak said morning temperatures started off at 26 C and will rise to a high of 33 C in Toronto that will feel closer to 36 with humidity.
City opens up relief spaces against smoke, heat
Mayor Olivia Chow said the city and Toronto Public Health are taking action to keep residents safe from the smoke and the heat by opening up six cleaner air spaces, including City Hall and Metro Hall.
The city also opened over 500 cooling spaces, including a 24-hour cooling space at 136 Spadina Road, and extended hours at eight pools until 11:45 p.m. to provide a place to cool down late.
Chow said her “heart goes out to everyone” impacted by the wildfires, adding TPH is on standby to support people evacuating to Toronto.
“Together we look after each other, especially during challenging conditions like this,” said Chow.
They city’s shelter system is opening additional temporary space for people living on the street.
Still, it’s not easy for unhoused people to find relief in the city, says outreach worker Lorraine Lam, and many people she works with are seeking relief in shady parks and air-conditioned spaces with limited hours.
“The heat climate emergency is worsening and there are more and more people who don’t have access to city spaces,” she said.
Number of days above 30 C nearly double for mid-July
The temperature at Pearson airport reached 36.2 C by 4 p.m. on Tuesday with the humidity making it feel closer to the mid-40s, Environment Canada said on its website. Tuesday was the peak of a heat wave that began Monday and may continue into Thursday.
Toronto came close to beating the highest temperature ever recorded for July 14 at Pearson airport, which was 36.7 C. The hottest day of 2026 so far approached that figure, when Canada Day saw a high of 36 C.
City officials encouraged people to stay inside during the heat of the day. But even after the sun goes down, the overnight low is expected to be 20 C Wednesday.
CBC’s science and climate specialist Darius Mahdavi says a heat dome is sitting on top of eastern Canada, and Toronto is the hottest city in the country. Mahdavi says the scorching temperatures are providing energy for potential storms, including in Quebec.
Wednesday will be the 13th day this year that it will be above 30 C in Toronto. Usually the city would register just seven days that hot by mid-July, says Environment Canada climatologist emeritus Dave Phillips.
Toronto Public Health is warning people to call 911 if anyone shows signs of heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include red and hot skin, nausea, dizziness, confusion and change in consciousness.
“You can go from feeling somewhat unwell to really dangerously unwell quite quickly,” said the agency’s associate medical officer of health, Dr. Howard Shapiro.
The agency says there were 39 heat-related emergency room visits recorded during Toronto’s first heat event of the summer between June 30 and July 4.
