Air quality alerts have been implemented in Canada and parts of the northern United States as wildfires continue to rage, prompting authorities to advise residents to limit outdoor activities. Environment Canada has warned that smoke from the fires has severely affected air quality, with Toronto experiencing some of the worst air conditions globally.
The alerts cover large areas of Ontario, with the Canadian capital, Ottawa, preparing for an emergency meeting led by Prime Minister Mark Carney to evaluate the crisis. In the United States, the Chicago metro area has also been put under an air quality alert that remains in effect until Tuesday evening, highlighting unhealthy ozone levels exacerbated by Canadian wildfire smoke.
Environment Canada has emphasized the health risks associated with poor air quality, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, infants, and those with pre-existing health conditions. People are encouraged to reconsider outdoor sports and activities, especially in Toronto, where air pollution levels have risen significantly.
Political tensions have emerged as US lawmakers have expressed frustration regarding the smoke affecting summer plans in the United States, prompting a response from the Premier of Manitoba, who criticized their remarks as an attempt to undermine a serious issue.
The wildfires have led to thousands of evacuations in western Canada, particularly in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where local governments have declared states of emergency. In Newfoundland, a fire on the Bonavista peninsula has rapidly expanded, destroying several structures. Experts link the increased frequency and severity of wildfires to the impacts of climate change, with Canada reported to be warming at a rate twice that of the global average.
