Air quality statement issued in Waterloo region amid wildfires in Ontario, Quebec
Environment Canada says several groups of people across southwestern Ontario are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
On Monday around 10:30 a.m., the national weather agency issued a special air quality statement, saying smoke plumes from local forest fires as well as forest fires in Quebec have resulted in deteriorated air quality.
“Poor air quality with moderate to high-risk Air Quality Health Index values may persist through the day today and possibly into Tuesday for some areas,” the alert reads.
These areas include the Region of Waterloo and Guelph areas.
High levels of air pollution are expected due to smoke from the forest fires, Environment Canada said.
The weather agency said people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
Environment Canada is advising you to stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell.
According to Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, current conditions are at a level 4, which represents a moderate risk.
This could raise to a level 5, with a level 7 high risk in smoke, by the end of the day.
Environment Canada says for those who must spend time outdoors, a well-fitting respirator-type mask that does not allow air to pass through small openings can help reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke.
The number of forest fires in northern Ontario is continuing to grow with a total of 48 active fires in the region.
As of Sunday morning, there are 31 active forest fires in the northeast and 17 in the northwest.
Meanwhile, in Quebec thousands of people have been evacuated as the wildfire tally climbs to 150.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.