Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: climate crisis

Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Environment Canada expands air alerts as wildfire smoke spreads over B.C.

Published September 5, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Canadian Press / CTV News
Published on:

VANCOUVER — Environment Canada’s special air-quality statements for wildfire smoke have now expanded to cover most of British Columbia, with air quality at its worst possible level in parts of the Fraser Valley.

The alerts advise people to limit or avoid outdoor activity and are now in place for all of B.C. outside of Vancouver Island, the Central and North Coast, Haida Gwaii and about a quarter of the province on its northern edge.

An air-quality warning continues to be in effect in Metro Vancouver, covered by orange smoke haze for a third day.

Continue readingEnvironment Canada expands air alerts as wildfire smoke spreads over B.C.
Comments closed
Topic: climate crisisView all posts for the topic: climate crisis

Wildfire smoke prompts air quality warnings on B.C.’s South Coast

Published September 3, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News
Published on:
By Andrew Weichel

Air quality warnings have been issued for much of B.C.’s South Coast, where smoke wafting from wildfires on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border has created hazy skies.

Elevated levels of fine particulate matter have been detected across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as a result, creating a risk of negative health effects.

The conditions are expected to last “a few days, or until there is a change in the weather,” according to a notice posted on the Metro Vancouver Regional District website on Wednesday.

As of the early afternoon, the smoke had pushed Vancouver to the top of a “most-polluted major city” ranking from IQAir, a Swiss company that develops air quality monitoring systems.

Continue readingWildfire smoke prompts air quality warnings on B.C.’s South Coast
Comments closed
Topic: climate crisisView all posts for the topic: climate crisis

Wildfires are reversing Canada’s progress on improving air quality

Published August 28, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Nicole Mortillaro

It’s hard not to forget the 2023 Canadian wildfire season, when more than 16 million hectares of forest were lost, thousands were displaced and smoke suffocated cities across both Canada and the U.S.

And it turns out Canada experienced its worst air pollution levels that year since 1998, according to a new report released today by the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI). At the same time, the report found that pollution levels didn’t change much for the rest of the world in 2023.

If those levels continued for a person’s lifetime, the average Canadian would lose roughly two years of their life expectancy, according to the report.

Efforts have been made around the world, including in Canada, to curb harmful emissions of fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, also known as PM 2.5. But wildfires are reversing those advances — with serious health consequences.

Continue readingWildfires are reversing Canada’s progress on improving air quality
Comments closed
Topic: wildfiresView all posts for the topic: wildfires

Wildfire smoke far more dangerous to health than thought, say scientists

Published August 19, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Guardian
Published on:
By Ajit Niranjan

Choking smoke spewed by wildfires is far more dangerous than previously thought, a new study has found, with death tolls from short-term exposure to fine particulates underestimated by 93%.

Researchers found that 535 people in Europe died on average each year between 2004 and 2022 as a result of breathing in the tiny toxic particles known as PM2.5 that are released when wildfires rage.

Under standard methods, which assume PM2.5 from wildfires is as deadly as from other sources, such as traffic, they would have expected just 38 deaths a year.

Continue readingWildfire smoke far more dangerous to health than thought, say scientists
Comments closed
Topic: wildfiresView all posts for the topic: wildfires

What’s all this wildfire smoke doing to your health? Here’s what experts have to say

Published August 6, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Heather Kitching

People who breathe air polluted with large amounts of wildfire smoke visit hospital emergency rooms more often for respiratory symptoms, according to a Canadian emergency room physician and chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance.

Rates of heart attack and cardiac arrest also increase after a couple of days of exposure, Dr. Courtney Howard said.

“So don’t just attribute that feeling of heaviness in your chest to asthma,” said Howard, who works in Yellowknife and is president of the Northwest Territories Medical Association.

“If you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease especially, go see your friendly local emergency department.”

Continue readingWhat’s all this wildfire smoke doing to your health? Here’s what experts have to say
Comments closed
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Wildfire smoke blanketing Ottawa could linger into Tuesday

Published August 4, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News
Published on:
By Ted Raymond

Environment Canada says a cloud of wildfire smoke that is covering the nation’s capital could hang overhead into Tuesday.

A special air quality statement is in effect for much of the region as smoke continues to affect most of southern and eastern Ontario.

“The wildfire smoke may persist into tonight and possibly Tuesday before finally easing,” Environment Canada says. “Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.”

Continue readingWildfire smoke blanketing Ottawa could linger into Tuesday
Comments closed
Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

Wildfires: Montreal has the worst air quality in the world

Published July 26, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Radio-Canada
Published on:
By Patrick MacIntyre

Smoke from forest fires is responsible for poor air quality in southern Quebec, northern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Montreal is also on Saturday the city where air quality is the worst in the world, according to IQAir’s ranking.

With a score of 191, Montreal ranks first, ahead of cities like Kinshasa in Congo and Manama in Bahrain. Toronto is also part of the top 10, it ranks 8th with a score of 110.

A score between 101 and 150 on the IQAir index indicates that conditions are poor for vulnerable people. If the index is higher than 150, the conditions are bad for everyone’s health.

Continue readingWildfires: Montreal has the worst air quality in the world
Comments closed
Topic: ManitobaView all posts for the topic: Manitoba

Wildfire smoke leads to air quality warnings for much of Manitoba this weekend

Published July 19, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Santiago Arias Orozco

Smoke billowing from wildfires is leading to poor air quality and reducing visibility throughout most of Manitoba this weekend.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued warnings Saturday morning for a large swath of the province, including Winnipeg and Brandon in the south, the Interlake and Thompson in the north.

“We have asthma so we try to just like think about how our chest is feeling … and go from there,” Aleecia Doyle said of she and her son, Liam Doyle. The pair ventured to Old Market Square to catch some of the entertainment for Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival opening weekend.

Continue readingWildfire smoke leads to air quality warnings for much of Manitoba this weekend
Comments closed
Topic: SaskatchewanView all posts for the topic: Saskatchewan

Saskatoon under air quality warning as wildfire smoke blows in from the north

Published July 14, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News
Published on:
By Rory MacLean

Saskatoon residents are feeling the lingering effects of the province’s northern wildfires on Monday, as a northerly wind has blown heavy smoke into central Saskatchewan.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an air quality warning after 4 a.m. Monday, advising anyone likely to be affected by smoke, including infants and young children, seniors, people with chronic conditions and those who work outdoors to limit time outside and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms.

The air quality index for the day is listed as 10-plus — considered a very high risk to health.

“During heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or health status,” Environment Canada said.

Continue readingSaskatoon under air quality warning as wildfire smoke blows in from the north
Comments closed
Topic: air qualityView all posts for the topic: air quality

Toronto has some of the worst air quality in the world right now — and a new study says smog and wildfire smoke can damage your heart

Published July 14, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Toronto Star
Published on:
By Omar Mosleh

With the city once again blanketed in wildfire smoke, experts are warning that long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to higher risk of heart failure.

Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement on Sunday night due to wildfire smoke from northern Ontario pushing Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index to 10+, classified as “very high risk.” Poor air quality was expected to persist Monday and possibly into Tuesday.

The effects of air pollution on the heart are underscored in a recent study, which found that long-term exposure to air pollution, in particular fine particulate matter, was linked to higher levels of diffuse myocardial fibrosis, a type of heart scarring that can lead to higher risk of heart failure.

Continue readingToronto has some of the worst air quality in the world right now — and a new study says smog and wildfire smoke can damage your heart
Comments closed
Topic: TorontoView all posts for the topic: Toronto

Air quality alert issued for Toronto, GTA as forest fire smoke pushes levels to ‘high risk’

Published July 14, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Toronto Star
Published on:
By Allie Moustakis

Toronto and much of the GTA are under a special air quality statement as smoke from forest fires in northern Ontario pushes into the region, Environment Canada warned Sunday night.

The agency says winds are carrying smoke into the area, reducing visibility and pushing the Air Quality Health Index to 10+, classified as “very high risk,” early Monday morning. Poor air quality is expected to persist into Monday and possibly Tuesday, Environment Canada added.

Torontonians are urged to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, particularly if you experience coughing, runny nose, throat or eye irritation or any other symptoms.

People aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition and people who work outdoors are most at risk, Environment Canada says, adding that more serious symptoms such as chest pain or severe coughing should be treated as medical emergencies.

Continue readingAir quality alert issued for Toronto, GTA as forest fire smoke pushes levels to ‘high risk’
Comments closed
Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

There’s a tick population boom happening in Eastern Ontario

Published July 5, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: The Ottawa Citizen
Published on:
By Elizabeth Payne

Eastern Ontario is at the epicentre of a tick population boom, and with it, health officials are reporting the highest levels of Lyme disease in the province.

So far this year, there have been 186 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in south-east and Eastern Ontario, stretching from about Prince Edward County to the Quebec border, including Ottawa, according to Public Health Ontario. That is more than half of all the cases in the province since the beginning of 2025.

By far, the highest concentration of the tick-spread disease in the province is within the large South East Health Unit, which includes Smiths Falls, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville and Prince Edward County, among other regions. With 132 cases, it has the highest rate of Lyme disease in Ontario.

Ottawa, with 41 cases, and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, with 13 cases, also have higher-than-average rates of Lyme disease. Those reported cases reflect the climate-driven growth of tick populations across the area and heightened risk of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, which are both spread by blacklegged ticks carrying bacteria.

Continue readingThere’s a tick population boom happening in Eastern Ontario
Comments closed
Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

Poor air quality supports activated in Edmonton

Published June 7, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CityNews
Published on:

The City of Edmonton has activated its extreme weather response due to high-risk air quality caused by wildfire smoke. The response began at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, and will continue until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, with possible extension if conditions persist.

City recreation centres, pools, and libraries are open to anyone needing relief from the smoke.

These indoor spaces offer cleaner air, unlike transit centres and LRT stations, which are exposed to outdoor air.

Free N95 masks and bottled water are also available at some City facilities, including libraries and recreation centres.

Residents are urged to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and check on vulnerable neighbours.

Continue readingPoor air quality supports activated in Edmonton
Comments closed
Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa’s air quality among the worst in the world as wildfire smoke blankets the region

Published June 6, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News
Published on:
By Josh Pringle

The City of Ottawa is experiencing some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke on Friday, with the poor air quality expected to continue into Saturday.

A special air quality statement remains in effect for Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec, warning smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.

“High risk air quality due to wildfire smoke is expected over the area overnight. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,” Environment Canada said in an updated statement at 5 p.m. Friday.

“Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.”

Ottawa’s air quality was rated 10+ or “Very High Risk” at 4 p.m., after a slight improvement earlier in the day. The Air Quality Health Index shows Ottawa’s air quality will be or 10 or “High Risk” tonight, improving to to “5-Moderate Risk” tomorrow.

Continue readingOttawa’s air quality among the worst in the world as wildfire smoke blankets the region
Comments closed
Topic: TorontoView all posts for the topic: Toronto

Air quality in Toronto among worst in the world amid wildfire smoke, global tracker shows

Published June 6, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:
By Rochelle Raveendran

Toronto is currently the second most polluted major city in the world as wildfire smoke spreads across the city, according to a global tracker.

The ranking by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, puts the city below Santiago, Chile, and above Montreal, which is in third place as it also faces wildfire smoke from western provinces.

As of noon Friday, air quality in Toronto was above 10 on Environment Canada’s air quality health index, which means “very high risk,” according to the weather agency’s website.

Continue readingAir quality in Toronto among worst in the world amid wildfire smoke, global tracker shows
Comments closed
Topic: climate crisisView all posts for the topic: climate crisis

Wildfires: Toronto and Montreal among the cities with the worst air pollution in the world

Published June 6, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: Radio-Canada
Published on:
By Stéphane Bordeleau

The smoke generated by the fires raging in the forests of western Canada worsened air quality on Friday in the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec, where warnings of smog and poor air quality were issued by Environment Canada.

Early this morning, Toronto and Montreal were among the most heavily polluted cities in the world, according to the website of the Swiss company IQAIR, which operates a global air quality monitoring network.

According to the measurements posted on the company’s website, at around 8.30 am, Montreal and Toronto were respectively the second and third most polluted cities in the world, behind Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

In Canada, the worst air quality was measured in Winnipeg and Ottawa on Friday morning.

Continue readingWildfires: Toronto and Montreal among the cities with the worst air pollution in the world
Comments closed
Topic: wildfiresView all posts for the topic: wildfires

A warning from Canadian eye doctors about wildfires and smoke

Published June 6, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CTV News / The Canadian Press
Published on:
By Nicole Ireland

TORONTO — The Canadian Ophthalmological Society is urging people to take care of their eyes as wildfires burn across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

People on the frontlines of the fires may get airborne particles in their eyes that need to be flushed out with sterile solution, said Dr. David Plemel, an eye surgeon in London, Ont., who was speaking on behalf of the society.

If it’s not easy to get the particle out, he recommends seeing an eye professional so they can remove it without damaging the cornea.

Smoke travels long distances and can affect people’s eyes even if they are far away from an actual blaze, said Plemel, who is also an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Western University.

Continue readingA warning from Canadian eye doctors about wildfires and smoke
Comments closed
Topic: wildfiresView all posts for the topic: wildfires

Federal government to match Red Cross donations to help wildfire victims

Published June 3, 2025

Still COVIDing Canada Posts

Published by: CBC News
Published on:

The federal government says it will match donations made to the Canadian Red Cross as wildfires tear across the Prairies, forcing thousands from their homes.

Speaking on Parliament Hill Tuesday, Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said the money will go toward wildfire relief and disaster recovery.

The provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba will also match donations, she said.

Continue readingFederal government to match Red Cross donations to help wildfire victims
Comments closed