Toronto Air Quality Worst Globally Amidst Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Toronto's air quality plummeted to the worst among major global cities on Thursday, as thick smoke from raging wildfires across Canada enveloped the region. Swiss company IQAir reported that Toronto's air quality index surpassed those of New Delhi and Kinshasa.

The smoke, originating from over 800 active wildfires burning throughout Canada, created a dense, hazy yellow-gray sky over the country's largest city. Canadian officials urged residents to remain indoors to avoid the hazardous conditions. The extreme smoke also impacted several U.S. states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.

In response to the deteriorating air quality, Toronto city officials took measures such as closing swimming pools, canceling summer camps, and shutting down public viewing areas for the FIFA World Cup semifinals match between England and Argentina. The fires have already burned approximately 1.9 million hectares of land in Canada this year, though this is significantly less than the record-breaking season in 2023.

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Wildfires are by far the biggest factor in the significant air pollution now measured in Toronto, but unusually high temperatures are also having an effect.