Toronto Engulfed by Wildfire Smoke, Worst Air Quality in the World
Toronto's air quality has become the worst in the world as smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario blankets the city and spreads into the northeastern United States, prompting health warnings and evacuations.
According to IQAir, Toronto ranked first globally for the worst air quality on Wednesday, surpassing Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and New Delhi in India. Environment Canada reported an Air Quality Health Index reading of 10+, classified as 'very high risk', and forecasted that hazardous conditions could persist through Thursday night.
While this year's wildfire season in Canada has been relatively quiet compared to recent years, there are still over 800 active fires nationwide. The smoke originates from fires burning hundreds of miles away in sparsely populated areas of northwestern Ontario, which are not threatening cities directly but are creating a vast smoke plume.
A viral social media video showed a Canadian National train surrounded by fire near Armstrong, Ontario. The railroad operator evacuated employees and local residents and suspended rail operations in the area as a precaution.
The smoke has also deteriorated air quality across the US border, particularly affecting the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. Authorities in New York City issued an alert for unhealthy air quality, urging residents to reduce strenuous outdoor activities. The National Weather Service said smoke could linger until the end of the week.
Approximately 80,000 people are expected to attend the FIFA World Cup final at an open-air stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, with another 50,000 planning to watch from Central Park in New York City, where skies appear hazy. New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged caution, especially for those with health conditions.
The Canadian government noted that this year's wildfire season started slower than in 2023 or 2025, the two worst seasons, but warned that fires are likely due to warmer-than-usual temperatures. On Wednesday, 835 active fires were burning across the country, with 112 considered out of control, having burned 1.9 million hectares. Greg Evans, a professor at the University of Toronto, said the city has been hit simultaneously with severe heat and wildfire smoke and expects such events to become more frequent in the coming decades.
