The smoky haze that settled over É«É«À² for much of Thursday has relented.
The cityÌýhad some of the worst air quality in the world early Thursday morning as forest fire smoke from the Prairies blew into the city,Ìýbut Environment Canada lifted its special air quality statement for É«É«À² just before 2:30 p.m.
The agency had warnedÌýÉ«É«À²nians to limit their time outside as the smoke is expected to reduce visibility and create unhealthy conditions.Ìý
Residents wereÌýat a “high risk” Thursday morning, but Ìýby around 2:40 p.m., the air quality health index had dipped to a low risk, meaning it is safe to enjoy outdoor activities as usual.
A week of heat warnings and stifling humidity did not helped air quality, but temperatures tumbled into the low 20s Thursday giving the city some relief.Ìý
, a Swiss air technology company, ranked É«É«À² as having the second-worst air qualityÌýamong major global cities early Thursday, trailing onlyÌýKinshasa of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At the time, conditions were “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the company said,Ìýadding that the air was being choked by PM2.5 particles, a pollutant commonly found in wildfire smoke. It is especially dangerous because these particles are so small they can be absorbed into your bloodstream when you breathe, IQAir said.
Shortly before 10 a.m., the PM2.5 concentration in É«É«À² was 12.6 times more than the World Health Organization’s guideline.
The Greenwood and Danforth Avenue area and the Beaches neighbourhood were hit the hardest, according to the company.Ìý
Environment Canada had recommendedÌýthat children and older people should reduce or reschedule any arduous outdoor activities.ÌýOthers should only do so if they’re experiencing symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation.
Here’s what you need to know about the weather in the days to come.
Environment Canada forecast for É«É«À²
As the local smoke dissipates, Thursday is expected to see 20 km/h winds tapering off in the afternoon. A high of 23 C will feel like 25 with humidity, as the UV index climbs to a very high 9.
Some clouds will roll in Thursday night as the low drops to 14 C.
Kicking off the month of August, Friday will bring sunshine with a high of 24 C during the day and clear skies at night with a low of 13ÌýC.
Heading into the weekend, Saturday is also forecasted to bring sunshine throughout the day and clear skies at night. There will be a high of 27 C and low of 16ÌýC.
Sunday will see much of the same weather with sunny skies, a clear evening, a high of 29 C and a low of 16ÌýC.
Monday will have a mix of sun and cloud and a daytime high of 29ÌýC. There will be cloudy periods at night with a low of 17ÌýC.
How to protect yourself from smoky air
You might have mild, common symptoms related to Thursday’s smoky skies like eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, Environment Canada said. More serious symptoms like wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough are less commonÌýand mean you should stop outdoor activities, the agency added, noting anyone having a medical emergency should seek immediate medical help.Ìý
The wildfire smoke can alsoÌýworsenÌýlung and heart conditions, É«É«À² public health officials added in a .
When you’re indoors, keep your windows and doors closed as much as possible to keep smoky air out, the agency said, but you should prioritize keeping cool when there is extreme heat and poor air quality at the same time.
You can also protect indoor air from wildfire smoke by using an air filter in your ventilation system or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.ÌýYou can also try moving to public spaces with better ventilation, such as É«É«À²’s six :
- , open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays
- , open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays
- , open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays
- , open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays
- , open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays
- , open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays
You can reduce your exposure to fine particles in the outdoor smoke by wearing a well-fitting, respirator-type mask, likeÌýa NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator, the agency said.
É«É«À²nians are also encouraged to check in on people who may be affected by the pollution.
With files from Anastasia Blosser
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