If you've looked outside today and thought something felt off about Toronto's weather, you're not wrong. A thick layer of smoke has rolled into the city, and it's not just ruining the view — it's making the air seriously unhealthy to breathe.
A massive wave of wildfire smoke has blanketed the city, making it difficult to breathe, see, or even stay outside for more than a few minutes.
According to IQAir's global air quality ranking on Monday, Toronto is currently the second most polluted city in the entire world. It puts the 6ix ahead of major cities known for chronic pollution, including Byrnihat and Delhi — the top two most polluted cities in the world 2024, according to IQAir's rankings.*
In fact, in 2024, six of the world's top ten most polluted cities were in India. So, when Toronto's air quality is worse than cities that regularly top those lists, it really puts into perspective how intense the smoke is right now — and it's all thanks to the smoke drifting in from wildfires burning across northern Ontario.
Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning for the city, and the effects are being felt everywhere — hazy skies, reduced visibility, and air that smells like a campfire gone wrong. It has also issued a heat warning, with temperatures soaring to 31 C (and a humidex making it feel closer to 40), creating a brutal mix of heat and smoke that's hard to ignore.
Health officials are urging people, especially seniors, young children, pregnant individuals, and those with underlying health conditions, to stay indoors, keep windows shut, and avoid all strenuous outdoor activity. However, even healthy individuals can experience symptoms such as headaches, coughing, irritated eyes, or a sore throat.
If you have to be outside, a high-quality N95 mask can help, but it won't fully protect you from everything in the air. Experts say limiting exposure is the best course of action. And if you're inside, try to keep the air as clean as possible with filters or purifiers, especially with the heat adding another layer of risk.
With the smoke expected to stick around through the day and possibly into Tuesday, now's the time to cancel those outdoor plans, check in on people who might need help, and ride this one out indoors if you can. Because when Toronto ends up near the top of the world's most polluted cities list, it's not just a bad day — it's a warning.
*This article has been updated to provide more context on the headline's comparison to India.
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