Smoky skies that offered a short respite for some communities in Ontario are expected to return as dozens of wildfires continue to burn in the province's north, Environment Canada warned Friday.
Worsening air quality expected to return
After a brief improvement in visibility and air conditions, forecasters say the haze and smoke will spread back across the province this evening and could remain through the weekend. The agency urged residents to prepare for reduced air quality and to follow local health advisories.
Scale of the fires
Officials report multiple active fires across northern Ontario. The most recent provincial figures show a high number of incidents in both the northwest and northeast regions, with many classified as out of control.
| Region | Active fires | Out of control |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest | 136 | 63 |
| Northeast | 44 | Not specified |
Communities, assistance and government response
Some communities have already been directly affected. Flames have consumed at least one settlement north of Thunder Bay, prompting calls from the provincial government and the Assembly of First Nations for immediate federal assistance.
Outside help has arrived in some form: other provinces have provided crews and equipment, including firefighters and water-bombing aircraft. The federal government says it is in close contact with provincial officials and prepared to offer support as required.
- Local impact: Reduced air quality can aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions; residents are advised to limit outdoor exertion.
- Displacement: Some communities have been razed or evacuated; people in affected areas should follow local emergency notifications.
- Interprovincial aid: Alberta and other jurisdictions have deployed personnel and aircraft to assist.
What residents should do
Health officials typically recommend the following steps when smoke returns:
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed where possible.
- Use air conditioning with fresh-air intake closed and set to recirculate, if available.
- Limit strenuous outdoor activities, particularly for children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions.
- Follow local public health and emergency-management updates for evacuation orders or shelter instructions.
Provincial and federal agencies continue to monitor fire behaviour and air quality. Residents in urban centres such as Toronto experienced visible smoke earlier in the week, underscoring the potential for far-reaching impacts as northern blazes persist.
InfoRadar will provide updates as officials release new information on active fires, air-quality advisories and emergency measures.
