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Wildfire Smoke Shuts Down City Services
17 Jul
Summary
- Wildfire smoke caused cancellations of garbage collection and outdoor pools.
- Air quality reached 'very high risk' levels in Hamilton and Burlington.
- Conditions are predicted to improve with lower AQHI ratings by Saturday night.
Smoke from Northern Ontario wildfires has significantly impacted services across several Ontario regions, including Hamilton and Niagara. As of Friday, July 17, 2026, air quality in Hamilton, Burlington, and Brantford was rated 10+ on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), signifying a 'very high risk.' St. Catharines saw a slight improvement, down to a rating of 9. Despite these closures, AQHI forecasts suggest conditions will improve to a rating of 6 by Saturday night.
In response to health concerns, the City of Hamilton canceled waste collection for specific wards and advised residents to use recycling centers or wait until next week. Various outdoor programs, including children's camps and parts of the Hamilton Fringe Fest, were either moved indoors, canceled, or rescheduled. St. Catharines announced the reopening of outdoor sports fields and pools starting Friday afternoon, with city programs resuming.
Other affected areas include Welland, where outdoor recreation was canceled for Friday. Niagara Falls closed multiple outdoor pools, while Burlington canceled outdoor pools and recreation programs. Brantford also closed its public pools, with expected reopening by noon on Saturday. Fort Erie canceled recreational programs and closed amenities, and Port Colborne issued a total fire ban. Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Fort Erie also implemented burn bans.
