Massive Wildfires in Ontario Turn Toronto’s Air Quality Worst Worldwide, Smoke Reaches New York Before World Cup Final

Massive wildfires raging in northwestern Ontario, Canada, have sent thick smoke clouds across a wide area of the province, turning Toronto into the city with the worst air quality among major global cities. The smoke has also spread into the northeastern United States, including New York, prompting health warnings and advisories to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Currently, Canada is battling 857 active wildfires, including 23 new ones ignited on Thursday.

Though the fires are burning in sparsely populated regions hundreds of kilometers from Toronto and do not directly threaten urban areas, the smoke has caused severe pollution. The Canadian Environment Ministry reported Toronto’s air quality index at +10, indicating a very high health risk, with dangerous conditions expected to persist until at least Friday night local time. The smoke has been detected in parts of Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, days before New Jersey hosts the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

Authorities in New York have issued air quality warnings and urged residents to limit outdoor exertion. The U.S. National Weather Service warned that wildfire smoke could linger through the weekend, including Sunday. Dan Westervelt, an associate professor at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, noted that the worst air quality is likely yet to come in New York and the Great Lakes region.

The Swiss air quality technology company IQAir ranked Toronto as the city with the worst air quality globally among major cities, surpassing Delhi and Kinshasa, though by Thursday afternoon Detroit took the top spot. Due to the poor air quality, Toronto canceled FIFA fan festivals and public viewing events for the World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina.

Several tense incidents have occurred near the fires, including a viral video showing a Canadian National Railway train surrounded by flames near Armstrong, Ontario. The crew called for urgent rescue but were safely evacuated, and train operations were suspended. Toronto resident Paula Orskovic expressed concern about the recurring wildfire smoke, linking it to global climate change and emphasizing the need for awareness and action.

Firefighting efforts continue mainly in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, while smoke and haze reduce visibility in New York City, including around landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul have both urged residents to take precautions amid the ongoing air quality crisis.