Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire Smoke Response Strategy

Toronto Public Health’s Wildfire Smoke Response Strategy outlines how the City responds to deteriorating air quality caused by wildfire smoke. The strategy strengthens Toronto Public Health’s preparedness and response through updated air quality warning protocols, enhanced use of Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) data, improved coordination across City divisions and escalation procedures, integration of the Cleaner Air Spaces (CAS) Network and enhanced guidance for concurrent heat and wildfire smoke events.

The strategy is reviewed and is updated annually to reflect lessons learned, evolving science and emerging best practices from other jurisdictions.

Wildfire Smoke Response Plan Activation Grid

Air Quality Statement and Advisory Status	Response Level
No smoke event AQW issued	Monitoring
Wildfire smoke event AQW issued	Wildfire smoke response activation
Wildfire smoke event AQW issued and expected to last more than one day	Wildfire smoke response enhancement

Monitoring

No smoke event AQW issued

	Guidance to the Public and Key TPH Actions
Guidance for those who are at-risk	Enjoy outdoor activities and no need to modify behaviours.
Guidance for general population
Toronto Public Health Key Actions	Monitor for potential deterioration of air quality.

 

Wildfire Smoke Response Strategy Activated and Enhanced Response Levels

Guidance to the Public and Key TPH Actions

	Activated	Enhanced
Guidance for those who are at-risk	Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Seniors, pregnant people, infants, young children, people who work outdoors, people involved in strenuous exercise outdoors, and people with existing chronic health conditions should take it easy.	Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with existing chronic health conditions should also avoid outdoor physical exertion.
Guidance for general population	Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation.	Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. Consider reducing outdoor activities where possible.
Guidance for everyone	Monitor the AQHI for deteriorating conditions when planning outdoor activities and events. Protect your home from outdoor air pollution through running HVAC systems, changing filters according to manufacturer’s instructions and keeping windows and doors closed. Eliminate sources of indoor air pollution, such as tobacco smoke, candle smoke, and indoor grilling, and the use of chemical-based products that can affect indoor air quality, like toxic paint, finishers, and glues. Reduce energy use and avoid vehicular and industrial emissions as much as you can to limit exposure. For those who must be outside, a well-fitted and properly worn respirator such as the N95 mask can reduce smoke inhalation risks, but needs to be used carefully, with consideration that: The mask must form a tight seal to work properly. The mask can protect against particles but not gases found in smoke. Masking will not protect eyes. During extreme heat events, wearing a mask may add to heat stress in some people. Prioritize staying cool. Some individuals may find it difficult to tolerate mask use, particularly individuals with underlying respiratory, cardiac or other health conditions. Listen to your body. If you need to remove your respirator mask, try to move to an area with cleaner air before removing it.
Toronto Public Health Key Actions	Monitor for changes in air quality and AQW status and the potential escalate or de-escalate to the appropriate activation level. Liaise and coordinate with stakeholders and the provincial government (e.g. MECP, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario). Amplify ECCC or MECP webpages and statements and provide public health guidance to the public. Monitor for health system impacts.	Monitor changes in air quality and AQW status to identify potential to de-escalate to the appropriate response level. Participate in a City-wide emergency response if requested. Liaise and coordinate with the Board of Health, City Councillors, other City Divisions, stakeholders, and the provincial government (e.g. MECP, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario). Amplify ECCC or MECP webpages and statements and provide public health guidance to the public. Promote the Cleaner Air Spaces Network. Monitor for health system impacts.

 

Understanding Air Quality Alerts

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)  is a tool developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada that helps people understand current and forecasted air quality conditions and take appropriate actions to protect their health during high pollution events, including wildfire smoke episodes.

The AQHI measures air quality on a scale from 1 to 10+, where higher numbers indicate greater health risk. It provides health guidance for both the general population and people who may be more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

The AQHI is based on the levels of:

• Ozone (O₃)
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Particulate matter (PM₅)

The updated air quality alert program now uses a yellow and orange colour-coded warning system, replacing the former Special Air Quality Statement (SAQS) and Air Quality Warning (AQW) terminology.

Air quality alerts are issued jointly by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Environment and Climate Change Canada:

• Yellow Warning – Air Quality: will be issued when the AQHIis forecast to reach the high risk category (an AQHI of 7 or greater).
• Orange Warning – Air Quality: will be issued when the AQHIis forecast to reach, or has reached, the very high-risk category (AQHI of 10+).

How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke & Poor Air Quality

Poor air quality and wildfire smoke can affect your health. You may experience:

• Eye and throat irritation
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain

Take steps to reduce your exposure to air pollution, including wildfire smoke:

• Stay informed: Download the WeatherCAN app to monitor the AQHI.
• Limit outdoor activities: Pay attention to the AQHI and limit outdoor and strenuous physical activities as needed. If you feel unwell or have difficulty breathing, stop activities immediately and seek medical attention.
• Make a plan: Have a plan in place if symptoms or health conditions are worsened by heat, poor air quality or wildfire smoke.
• Protect your indoor air: Improve your indoor air quality to reduce your exposure to air pollution and wildfire smoke. (e.g., keep windows closed when air quality is poor, use an air filter or portable air cleaner unit, if available).
• Visit a Clean Air Spaces Network location: If you are unable to maintain cool, clean air at home, consider visiting a participating location in the Cleaner Air Spaces Network to reduce your exposure to the smoke and heat.
• Consider using a respirator outdoors: A well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, may help reduce exposure to fine particles but not gases in smoke.
  • Avoid use by children under 2 years, individuals with breathing difficulties, or those who struggle to remove the respirator.

Cleaner Air Spaces Network

Launched in 2024, the Cleaner Air Spaces Network provides places to go for people who face barriers accessing cleaner air and air filtration at home.

Participating locations operate as Cleaner Air Spaces during their regular operating hours and are equipped with MERV13 filtration systems. Cleaner Air Spaces include Toronto’s Civic Centres in Scarborough, North York, East York, and York, Metro Hall, and Toronto City Hall downtown. Residents may consider visiting these sites if they are experiencing symptoms when air quality is poor due to wildfire smoke and/or are having difficulty accessing clean air.

Cleaner Air Spaces

The Cleaner Air Spaces locations and hours of operations are:

• City Hall – 100 Queen St. W.
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday and holidays: Closed
• Metro Hall – 55 John St.
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays: Closed
• North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge St.
  • Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Scarborough Civic Centre – 150 Borough Dr.
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday and holidays: Closed
• York Civic Centre – 2700 Eglinton Ave. W.
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays: Closed
• East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Ave.
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday and holidays: Closed

Pre-season Preparedness Plan

TPH will monitor, evaluate, and update the Wildfire Smoke Response Strategy on an annual basis or as needed.

Prior to the wildfire season, TPH will identify and review changes to respond to wildfire smoke by:

• Scanning other jurisdictions’ wildfire smoke responses
• Reviewing scientific research
• Evaluating the previous year’s response plan
• Engaging with key stakeholders