Toronto choked by wildfire smoke, records world's worst air quality

No Comment Video. Toronto choked by wildfire smoke, records world's worst air quality Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 16/07/2026 - 9:51 GMT+2 A thick orange haze hung over Toronto on Wednesday 15 July as smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario engulfed Canada's largest city, giving it the worst air quality of any major city in the world that morning, according to monitoring service IQAir. Despite the poor conditions, some residents continued to spend time outdoors, while others wore face masks as the smoke drifted across the city. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The deteriorating air quality coincided with a heat alert, with temperatures reaching 33C, close to the record for 15 July. Authorities cancelled outdoor children's programmes and opened cooling centres, while Environment Canada warned that smoky conditions were unlikely to ease before Friday. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's Associate Medical Officer of Health, compared exposure to the smoke to passive smoking, warning that the fine particles contain a mixture of harmful chemicals capable of affecting anyone, regardless of age or underlying health. The smoke originated from 148 active wildfires burning across northwestern Ontario, where firefighters continue to battle multiple large blazes. Canada Toronto Wildfires Extreme weather Air pollution Public health Top stories Now playing Next Toronto choked by wildfire smoke, records world's worst air quality Now playing Next Argentina erupts after late win over England to reach World Cup final Now playing Next Buenos Aires erupts as Argentina reach World Cup final Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 16th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Argentina defeat England 2-1 in World Cup semi-final Now playing Next More world leaders arrive in Doha to honour Qatar's former emir Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 15th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Iran attacks US bases as Trump threatens power plant hits Now playing Next Where is the EU's population growing the most? Now playing Next EU says threats against ICC 'unacceptable' as US targets court Now playing Next What did Romans really look like? A Hungarian museum has the answer Now playing Next Solar met 25% of EU power needs in June thanks to quick installations Now playing Next MEP: German military law makes citizens 'think about contribution' Now playing Next Chat Control is 'treating everyone as a suspect', says expert Now playing Next Education comes in different forms: How do Europeans feel about vocational training? Now playing Next Europe Today: Middle East tensions rise as Europe deepens support for Ukraine ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Po river choked by algae bloom as Italy battles heat and navigability woes No Comment Ukraine: Six dead as Russia targets Sumy and Odesa No Comment Italy: melting ice statues protest heatwave conditions in Rome No Comment Most realistic ancient roman faces revealed at Budapest exhibition Earth News How scientists forecast heatwaves The Ring Can common debt fix Europe’s growth problem? MEPs debate in The Ring Europe News French parliament passes assisted dying bill for some terminally ill adults Europe News Former Hungarian foreign minister Szijjártó resigns from parliament to join Chinese carmaker Focus The future of journalism debated at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum Grand Voyager Grand Voyager | Exploring Budapest USA ICE should continue traffic stops after shootings, Trump says, apparently contradicting new policy Voices from Central Asia From shopping mall ice rink to Olympic gold: the rise of Kazakh skater Mikhail Shaidorov ADVERTISEMENT Iran US resumes daylight strikes on Iran as tensions escalate over Strait of Hormuz Europe News EU pushes US to exempt €150 billion worth of EU goods from Turnberry deal Tech News UK unveils plans for voluntary overnight social media curfew for older teens Culture news ‘Once we were like you’: Ancient Roman faces brought back to life in Budapest exhibition Europe News Von der Leyen and Zelenskyy sign EU-Ukraine drone deal Europe News EU extends temporary protection for Ukrainians but restricts access for military-age men The Cube Fact check: US military programme not behind Europe's recent heatwaves Europe Today Cypriot minister defends appointment of EU Cyprus special representative following backlash ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT