Subtitle:
Smoke, smog, and soaring temperatures combine to create dangerous conditions for residents
Content:
Toronto experienced one of the worst air quality levels in the world on Monday, as Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the city amid sweltering temperatures and hazy skies.
A combination of high humidity, wildfire smoke from the north, and stagnant air has led to thick smog blanketing the region, pushing the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to hazardous levels. Public health officials have urged residents—particularly seniors, children, and those with respiratory conditions—to stay indoors, limit physical activity, and keep hydrated.
The heat warning, in effect throughout the Greater Toronto Area, warns of humidex values nearing 40°C, making outdoor conditions not only uncomfortable but potentially dangerous. Cooling centres have been opened across the city for vulnerable populations, while transit agencies remain on alert for heat-related service disruptions.
Toronto Public Health has also advised employers to adjust working conditions for outdoor staff and called on residents to check in on neighbours who may be at risk.
With weather patterns showing little relief in the coming days, residents are being urged to take precautions and follow real-time updates on both air quality levels and heat alerts issued by local authorities.
City officials say they are monitoring the situation closely and may extend the heat warning if conditions persist.