Updated on Jun. 5, 2025, 8:25 PM
You might detect a burning smell across southern Ontario as favourable conditions push Prairie wildfire smoke to the surface
Prolific smoke that’s blown across North America and beyond over the past couple of weeks will bring reduced air quality to southern Ontario through Friday.
“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,” Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said in its special air quality statement for the region on Thursday.
This risk includes the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Ottawa, Windsor, and much of cottage country.
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Significant wildfire activity across the western half of the country has sent plumes of smoke from the Arctic to the tropics—and even across the pond toward Europe.
Most of the smoke we’ve seen of late over southern Ontario has remained elevated, contributing to hazy skies and vivid sunsets.
Rain and strong winds that pushed through the region Wednesday and Thursday helped push some of that smoke down to the surface, reducing air quality and leading to a distinct burning smell at times.
