Air quality statement on wildfire smoke ends for Toronto, moderate risk forecast
CBC News | Posted: June 29, 2023 12:20 PM | Last Updated: June 29, 2023
Air pollution won't get as bad as initially projected, Environment Canada says
A special air quality statement that forecast smoky conditions to return to Toronto was ended by Environment Canada on Thursday morning.
The federal weather agency had earlier said air pollution was set to increase later Thursday and into Friday as smoke plumes from forest fires in northeastern and Quebec made their way to the Greater Toronto Area.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) — the reporting system Canada uses to reflect potential health effects associated with air pollution — currently sits at 6 out of 10, representing a "moderate risk."
On Thursday, the city woke up to significant relief from Wednesday's harsh smoky conditions.
At one point Wednesday, Toronto's AQHI maxed out at 10 and, according to the international air quality tracker IQAir, the city had the worst air pollution of any location in the world.
By Thursday morning, Toronto had fallen to 84 on the IQAir list, eventually rising to 63 approaching the noon hour.
The city previously experienced smoky conditions caused by wildfires earlier this month.