Health concerns, event cancellations grow as wildfire smoke persists across Ontario

Wildfires that have devastated communities in northern Ontario are also causing health concerns and event cancellations across southern parts of the province as thick smoke plumes linger in the sky for another day. 

Toronto is still not feeling any relief after wildfire smoke turned the city's skyline orange on Wednesday, prompting some residents to don protective face masks and stay indoors. Environment Canada says the air quality in the city continues to be "very high risk" on Thursday morning.  

Air quality warnings are in place from Thunder Bay to Kingston and down to Toronto, London and Windsor, as residents of several First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario flee forest fires.

Environment Canada has said winds from the northwest will continue to blanket southern Ontario with smoke until at least Friday.

The weather agency said the general population should reschedule or reduce strenuous outdoor activities outdoors, especially if people have symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. At-risk people should entirely avoid strenuous activities outdoors, while children and elderly people should avoid physical exertion outside, it said.

In Toronto, officials are keeping all outdoor pools and wading pools closed Thursday. All Camp TO field trips have been cancelled. 

Organizers of the outdoor music festival Rock the Park in London, Ont., also ended the event early out of safety concerns.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2026.

Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.