From choking smoke to soaring temperatures, much of Canada is facing a double threat this week as wildfires and extreme heat collide across multiple provinces.
Environment Canada continues to issue special air quality statements across large parts of Central Canada, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan due to heavy wildfire smoke drifting in from the Prairies and northern Ontario. Residents in affected areas are being urged to stay indoors as much as possible and monitor for symptoms of smoke exposure, including coughing, difficulty breathing, and eye irritation.
In Ontario, the haze that hung over cities like Toronto led to downgraded warnings Monday evening, but the respite is only partial. A heat warning is now in effect for the city, with humidex values expected to push daytime temperatures as high as 35°C through Thursday.
Heat warnings have also been issued for regions north of Lake Huron and parts of Atlantic Canada, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
Officials caution that the combination of high heat and poor air quality can be particularly dangerous. In such cases, staying cool should take priority—even if it means seeking shelter in air-conditioned spaces or public cooling centers.
With no immediate end in sight, Canadians are being asked to take extra precautions and check in on vulnerable friends and family as the heat and smoke continue to spread.