Wesal TV (Ajax, Ont.): Wildfire smoke drifting into southern Ontario is expected to worsen air quality across Durham Region through Thursday as extreme heat compounds health risks, prompting municipalities to cancel outdoor programs and regional officials to expand public health warnings and outreach to vulnerable residents.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says smoke from large wildfires burning in northwestern and northern Ontario is expected to linger over the region for much of the next 36 hours.
Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said air quality was expected to deteriorate through Wednesday evening and remain poor for much of Thursday.
“In general terms, over the next 24 hours, expect the air quality in the Durham area to continue to deteriorate,” Proctor told Wesal TV.
Most of the smoke affecting Durham is coming from fires west and north of Lake Nipigon, he said. While conditions could begin improving Thursday night into Friday as the smoke shifts farther southwest, Durham is expected to remain under the main smoke plume for much of the next day and a half.
The deteriorating conditions have prompted municipalities to adjust outdoor programming and workplace operations.
The Town of Whitby cancelled its morning and afternoon playground programs and Wednesday evening’s Culture Pop Up event at the waterfront. Cooling centres and splash pads remain open free of charge.
The town also introduced additional safety measures for municipal employees working outdoors, including extra water and electrolyte drinks, more frequent breaks, a buddy system and regular communication between workers and supervisors. Where possible, outdoor work is being scheduled during cooler morning hours, while non-essential tasks may be postponed or moved indoors.
In Ajax, playground programs were cancelled Wednesday, municipal camps were moved indoors, the evening youth cricket program was called off, and the outdoor memorial pool was closed.
The town said residents can use municipal facilities during regular operating hours to access air-conditioned spaces, drinking water and washrooms. It also said non-urgent outdoor work is being rescheduled and closures are being communicated through its website, social media channels and directly to affected participants.
Whitby and Ajax were the only Durham municipalities that provided detailed operational updates before publication.
The smoky conditions extended beyond Durham Region. Ahmad Tareen, a Durham resident, shared a photo in a WhatsApp group for Durham’s Afghan community. Taken near Mississauga airport at around 1 p.m. Wednesday, the photo showed a yellow-grey sky, with the sun appearing as a faint orange circle through the haze.
The Region of Durham health department issued environmental alerts to more than 500 community partners after receiving early warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Those partners include social-service agencies, childcare and education providers, seniors’ organizations, parks and recreation departments, first responders, municipalities and employers with outdoor workers.
The alerts are intended to help organizations activate response plans and protect people who may be at greater risk during periods of poor air quality and extreme heat.
Regional officials warned that wildfire smoke can affect everyone, including otherwise healthy people, but said older adults, infants, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers and those with chronic medical conditions face a greater risk of illness.
Residents are advised to limit time outdoors, avoid strenuous physical activity and seek medical attention if they experience persistent coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath or worsening health conditions.
The Region is also urging residents to check on neighbours, relatives and friends who may be especially vulnerable.
Proctor said the combination of smoke and heat creates competing health risks.
People are generally advised to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed during periods of heavy smoke. However, that advice may increase the risk of heat-related illness in homes without adequate air conditioning or ventilation.
“If you don’t have proper air conditioning or proper ventilation, that can create even more problems associated with the heat accumulating in people’s houses,” he said.
Residents who cannot keep their homes safely cool while limiting smoke exposure should consider spending time in cooling centres or other air-conditioned public buildings, he added.
The Region said cooling locations, including libraries and community centres, are available across Durham. However, it did not identify any facilities specifically designated as cleaner-air spaces with enhanced air filtration.
Health officials also reminded residents that people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and other chronic illnesses may experience more severe effects from wildfire smoke.
For people who must spend time outdoors, a properly fitted N95 respirator can help reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke, although it does not protect against harmful gases and may make breathing more difficult for some people with heart or lung conditions.
The Region said N95 respirators should not be worn by young children or anyone who has difficulty breathing while wearing one.
Officials said reducing the amount of time spent in smoky conditions remains the most effective way to limit exposure.
The Region also said employers are responsible under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act for assessing workplace risks related to extreme heat and poor air quality and implementing appropriate protective measures for employees working outdoors.
Meanwhile, Durham Region outreach teams and community agencies are conducting wellness checks on people experiencing homelessness.
Sahar Foroutani, manager of homelessness support with the Region’s Social Services department, said outreach workers are explaining the smoke and heat warnings, distributing drinking water and helping people reach cooling locations and other safe indoor spaces.
Regional shelters are expected to remain open around the clock during extreme heat events and provide cool indoor environments. When shelters reach capacity, staff work to secure overflow spaces or motel accommodations where appropriate.
A 2024 Public Health Ontario report, Wildfire Smoke Risk Messaging: Jurisdictional Scan, identifies populations at greater risk and outlines measures that may help reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.
The report identifies older adults, pregnant people, infants, young children, outdoor workers and people with chronic health conditions as groups at greater risk. It also highlights measures such as limiting time outdoors, keeping smoke from entering homes, creating cleaner indoor air and using air-conditioned public spaces when needed.
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