Air quality alerts issued across Central Canada, Prairies amid wildfire smoke

By Canadian Press on July 14, 2025.

TORONTO — Much of Central Canada, Manitoba and Saskatchewan were placed under special air quality statements or warnings on Monday due to smoke from wildfires, as Environment Canada advised residents to limit time outdoors and watch for smoke exposure symptoms.

The weather agency said air quality was poor across swaths of Ontario and Quebec as westerly winds bring in smoke from forest fires in the Prairies and northern Ontario.

Parts of southern Ontario, from Windsor to Ottawa, are under an air quality warning due to the smoke that may persist into Tuesday, Environment Canada said. The warning also applied to parts of southern Quebec, including Montreal and Trois-Rivieres.

The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or “very high risk,” on Monday morning.

Southern Ontario and Quebec were also placed under heat warnings Monday, with Environment Canada warning of daytime highs of up to 32 C.

“When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool,” it said.

The weather agency has also issued air quality warnings in central Saskatchewan and a special statement for much of Manitoba, noting that air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and vary from hour to hour.

Environment Canada said residents should consider limiting time outside and be mindful of smoke exposure symptoms. Though everyone’s health is at risk amid wildfire smoke, those who are 65 or older, pregnant, young children, and have an existing health condition or work outdoors are more likely to be impacted, it said.

“Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution,” the agency said, adding that people should reschedule or cancel outdoor events, and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

For Randy Mitchell and his co-workers at a downtown Toronto construction site, staying out of the smoky air was a challenge on Monday.

Even though the crew working on a new subway line was encouraged to take breaks indoors, Mitchell said someone still had to be on each corner of the site at all times.

“It’s very humid, very humid right now,” he said. “The breathing quality is just… it’s horrendous.”

Mitchell said he was trying cope by “drinking water and ducking into buildings if I can.”

Cristian Velasquez, a student at Toronto’s George Brown College, said he was seeking refuge on campus, where there’s air conditioning, and trying to consume lots of cold beverages.

He said the poor air quality didn’t affect his breathing, but he still planned to stay out of the hot and humid conditions.

“I was thinking of generally staying home for like most of the week,” he said, especially since many of his classes have been cancelled for unrelated reasons.

Environment Canada said symptoms of smoke exposure include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.

The weather agency recommends people wear a well-fitting respirator-type mask, such as an N95 mask, if they have to go outside.