Toronto’s air quality ranked worst in the world as heat and smoke trigger health warnings
Environment Canada warned the smoke could last until Thursday as Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index reached 10+, or very high risk.
- On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Toronto ranked as the third-most polluted major city globally as smoke from northwestern Ontario wildfires settled across the Greater Toronto Area.
- A combination of extreme heat and drifting wildfire smoke created hazardous conditions, as southern Ontario experienced a heat wave pushing humidex values as high as 45 degrees on Tuesday.
- The Air Quality Health Index reached 8, placing the city in the high-risk category, with conditions potentially worsening overnight to reach 10+, the highest "very high risk" category.
- Environment Canada issued an orange air quality warning Wednesday, urging residents to limit strenuous outdoor activities and keep windows closed to reduce smoke exposure.
- Poor air quality is expected to persist through Thursday, though winds from the west at 15 to 30 km/h and rain forecast for Friday may help clear the lingering smoke.
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The smoke from the ongoing fires in northwestern Ontario plunged the metropolis into a thick cloud of pollution, pushing the authorities to call the inhabitants not to leave. The eastern United States is also affected.
Forest fires in the Canadian province of Ontario have resulted in the city of Toronto being currently the worst air quality city in the world.
Toronto the orange: Wildfire smoke leaves city under dirty sky with no relief likely until Friday
Environment Canada placed Toronto under an orange-level air quality warning Wednesday due to wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario. That means a dirty sky is hanging over the city, blotting out distant landmarks. Some residents have taken to wearing masks to keep out fine particles in the smoke.
Smoke from wildfires raging in Canada's northwestern province of Ontario on Wednesday caused Toronto to record the worst air quality of any major city in the world. The smoke has also reached the northeastern United States, prompting residents to limit their time outdoors, Reuters reports.
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