Northern health unit issues warnings as wildfire smoke causes poor air quality
Wildfire smoke from forest fires in northern Ontario and Quebec is creating hazy and smoky conditions blanketing cities across Ontario.
Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement Wednesday for much of the northeast.
Public health officials warn that the smoke can be dangerous, with the fires creating high concentrations of air pollution.
Environment Canada said with the current weather system in Ontario, the air mass is stagnant. With high pressure over Lake Superior and winds, wildfire smoke with poor air quality is expected to persist into the weekend.
“The ridge is going to stay in place today into the weekend but I’m seeing some weather models nod towards a change in weather patterns into this weekend,” said Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Trudy Kidd.
“We’re expecting a low pressure system to creep into southwestern Ontario and with that brings cleaner air.”
Ontario’s Air Quality Health Index reports North Bay, Sudbury, Parry Sound and Sault Ste. Marie’s air quality is expected to be moderate to very poor Thursday.
“Wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and from hour to hour,” said Kidd.
“If you're noticing the air quality is getting worse, go inside and close your windows."
Wildfire smoke from forest fires in northern Ontario and Quebec is creating hazy and smoky conditions blanketing cities across Ontario. (Supplied)
As of Wednesday morning, the number of active forest fires in northern Ontario reached 54 with 10 new wildfires Tuesday. Thirty of those active fires are not under control, an increase of seven from Tuesday.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is reminding people to take precautions as air pollution can severely affect people with lung or heart disease.
“We recommend people check the Air Quality Health Index through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website, or on your local radio or TV stations, to be aware of the degree of risk,” said Robert A-Muhong, the health unit’s manager of environmental health.
A-Muhong said poor air quality can also affect children, seniors and pregnant people.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said smoke drift is travelling as far as north of Timmins, down through Sudbury and past Parry Sound.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"See smoke and are unsure if you should call it in? Generally, if you see a column of smoke, give us a call at 310-FIRE (3473) if you’re located north of the French and Mattawa Rivers (or 911 if you’re south of these rivers),” the MNRF said.
Otherwise, the agency encourages people to check its website to determine if what you’re seeing is drifting heavy smoke.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.