A severe air quality crisis has gripped Toronto, as smoke from over 100 active wildfires in northern Ontario has made the city’s air quality the worst in the world, according to IQAir, a Swiss technology company that tracks global air quality. Environment Canada issued health warnings on Wednesday after the sky over the country’s largest city turned a sickly yellow.
The city is also experiencing a heatwave that shattered a three-decade record, reaching 37.3C in the downtown core, with runways at its main international airport hitting 55C. The heatwave and poor air quality have created hazardous conditions for residents, prompting concerns for public health.
The wildfires burning across northwestern Ontario have prompted mandatory evacuations from several First Nations communities. Striking video footage of a train near the community of Armstrong, Ontario, highlighted the speed and ferocity of the fires. Families have been forced to flee their homes by boat, with massive plumes of smoke serving as a backdrop.
Residents of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation reported having only minutes of warning before fleeing across Collins Lake in the northwest part of the province. The community of Collins, Ontario, has been completely destroyed by the fires, with residents expressing gratitude that everyone escaped safely.
The extreme temperatures and growing severity of weather events are indicators of climate change, according to local officials. Air quality alerts due to smoke have been issued across large parts of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with thicker smoke forecast to move over New York, Washington, and other cities across the eastern seaboard later in the week.
As the situation continues to unfold, emergency officials are urging everyone to follow their guidance and remain prepared in case evacuations are necessary.
