Current Situation
Canada is experiencing a significant wildfire season and there are more than 700 active fires in provinces such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. As of early August 2025, most of them have burned millions of acres.
Air quality warnings are being issued by the Environment Canada and wildfire coordination centers throughout the country, particularly Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and sections of the Maritimes.
In Canada, CA
The wildfire smoke has persisted over the most significant cities in Canada such as Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, eastern regions, with the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values on Monday at 7 -9 that is very risky to sensitive groups.
The poorest air quality lies in the Prairie provinces of central Canada but is likely to get better mid-week as the smoke slowly drifts eastwards.
Cross Border and International Impacts
The smoke has spread widely into the United States causing air-quality warnings in states stretching across Minnesota and Wisconsin, to New York, Michigan, and Maine. To date, more than 100 million Americans are affected.
Such cities as Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Toronto have been among the worst in the world with regards to air quality over the last few days.
The smoke is being trapped by a delayed cold front and a high-pressure system in the Eastern U.S. and Canada, and warnings have been issued until TuesdayWednesday in most areas.
The smoke plume will even be moving on over into the Atlantic, over Ireland, UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany mid-week, but probably at a considerably higher altitude and not so much affecting the quality of the air down on the ground there.
Health Warnings and Advice
In Canada, as well as in the U.S., health officials recommend that vulnerable people, children, elderly people, and those with heart or lung conditions should spend as little time outdoors as possible, keep the windows closed, and use air filters where available.
N95 masks may help to lower inhaling toxic small particles (PM2.5) when used at home and in the outdoors in high-exposure locations.
Tips to Stay Safe
When comparing AQHI/AQI 7 or 100+ PM2.5, selected short outdoor activity.
Inside use HEPA/MERV- labeled filters or certified ones and seal windows/doors seams.
Inspect the quality of air in the place in iQAir, AirNow, or AQHI page on Environment Canada.
Use N95 respirator with short term outdoor exposures in smoky environments.
Use IQAir, AirNow, or AQHI page on Environment Canada to check air quality in the region.
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