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Wildfire Smoke Blankets Southern Ontario, Sparking Air Quality Concerns
3 Aug
Summary
- Special air quality statement issued for Toronto and surrounding areas
- Smoke from Saskatchewan and Manitoba wildfires expected to linger through long weekend
- Air quality could reach "high risk" levels, especially on Saturday night
As of August 3rd, 2025, a special air quality statement has been issued for Toronto and the surrounding areas as smoke from wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba is set to return to the region this long weekend.
According to Environment Canada, residents are expected to be at "high risk" on Saturday night as the wildfire smoke is predicted to travel to southern Ontario in the afternoon and linger throughout the rest of the holiday weekend. This comes after a previous air quality statement for the city was lifted just last Thursday.
The smoke is being driven by PM2.5 particles, a pollutant commonly found in wildfire smoke that can be absorbed into the bloodstream, making it particularly harmful. Air quality monitoring stations have already detected hazardous levels of these particles, with one location in Toronto reporting the worst air quality in the city.
The situation is expected to be especially dire in northern Ontario and parts of Quebec, with Montreal ranking among the world's most polluted major cities on Saturday night. Experts warn that the smoke could pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women, and those with existing medical conditions.
