Wildfire Smoke Response Strategy

Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

Exposure to air pollutants can result in various symptoms including irritated eyes, increased mucus production, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Certain individuals, including seniors, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions are at a higher risk of health problems when exposed to air pollution. Additionally, people who work or exercise outdoors face increased exposure and an increased risk of health effects from air pollution, particularly from wildfire smoke.

Index & Advisories

Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) oversees the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and issues Special Air Quality Statements (SAQS). These two resources inform Toronto residents of current and forecasted air quality and provide advice as to how residents can assess their risk, minimize exposure and take preventative actions.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a tool that is designed to help the public make decisions to protect their health from air pollution. It measures air quality in relation to health on a scale from 1 to 10+. The higher the number, the greater the health risk associated with the air quality.  The AQHI provides guidance for the general population and for at-risk populations.

The AQHI is a composite index calculated using concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) in the air. It is meant to provide information on how these substances impact the health of people who are sensitive to air quality and the general population.  It is measured and published by ECCC, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). In addition to the observed conditions, ECCC provides forecast maximums for the AQHI.

There are four air monitoring stations in Toronto. ECCC takes an average of these four stations’ measurements when producing the AQHI for Toronto overall.

Special Air Quality Statements (SAQS) Issued by ECCC

The purpose of the SAQS is to explain air quality situations that cannot be adequately described in the AQHI forecast bulletin. The statements contain advice to the public on how to minimize exposures to wildfire smoke and directs the public to use the AQHI as a tool to guide their activities. The advice in these statements contains additional measures to the health advice provided in the AQHI, such as sealing homes against outside air and using high efficiency air filtration.

Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

Reducing one’s exposure to air pollution including smoke from wildfires is the best way to protect your health. People at higher risk of health problems when exposed to air pollution include seniors, pregnant people, infants, young children, people who work outdoors, people involved in strenuous exercise outdoors, and people with existing chronic health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, mental illness and lung or heart conditions. Visit the Government of Canada’s health risks of air pollution to estimate your own sensitivity to air pollution.

People can consider the following actions to protect their health during wildfire smoke events:

• Prepare for smoke and air quality events by monitoring the AQHI and/or downloading the WeatherCAN app to be notified of air quality alerts
• Stay indoors and reduce outside activities during smoke events, especially high-intensity exercise until conditions improve
  • When the health risk is moderate (AQHI 4-6): consider reducing the intensity of outdoor activities
  • When the health risk is high (AQHI 7 and above): consider rescheduling outdoor activities
  • Stop outdoor activities immediately if experiencing symptoms
• Have a care plan in case heart/breathing or other symptoms are aggravated by air pollution and smoke
• Protect your indoor air during wildfire smoke events
  • Keep windows and doors closed, and use air conditioning if the weather is warm.
  • Set your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to recirculate when the outdoor air is poor, and bring in fresh air when the outdoor air has improved.
  • In homes with forced air ventilation, install a high quality air filter (MERV 13 or higher) to help remove particulate matter from the incoming air
• If your home does not have a forced air system, consider purchasing a portable air purifier to clean the air in a room in your home or making a portable air purifier yourself using a fan and air filters. See below for more information on making your own air cleaner.
• • • BCCDC: Do it Yourself Air Cleaner
    • Do it Yourself Ecology: Breathe Better by Easily Making a Clean Air Fan 
    • Box Fan Filter: A Do it Yourself User Guide 
    • Making a Corsi-Rosenthal box (Do it Yourself Air Cleaner) 
• If you 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
  • The mask must form a tight seal in order to work properly
  • The mask can protect against particles but not other harmful substances that may also be present
  • The mask will not protect your eyes
  • Listen to your body at all times, and stop or reduce activities if you feel unwell
  • Masks make breathing more difficult; this can be especially a problem if you already have heart or breathing conditions
• If unable to maintain cool, clean air at home, be aware of places in your community that typically have air conditioning and filtered air where the air quality may be better like:
  • Libraries
  • Community centres
  • Shopping malls

TPH Wildfire Smoke Response Plan

TPH will actively monitor air quality forecasts and be prepared to respond to wildfire smoke events that lead to poor air quality. The following plan lays out four levels of response based on the AQHI forecast. It also lays out general guidance for all people, and then specific guidance for people who are at-risk for the health impacts of poor air quality.

Wildfire Smoke Response Plan Activation Grid

AQHI Risk Level	TPH Response Level
Low Risk (AQHI VALUE FORECAST OF 1-3)	Level 0 response
Moderate Risk (AQHI VALUE FORECAST 4-6) AND SMOKE EVENT SAQS ISSUED	Level 1 response
High Risk (AQHI VALUE FORECAST 7-10) AND SMOKE EVENT SAQS ISSUED	Level 2 response
Very High Risk (AQHI VALUE FORECAST 10+ FOR > 24 HOURS) AND SMOKE EVENT SAQS	Level 3 response

Level 0 Response

AQHI Low Risk (1-3)

Level 0 Response
Guidance for those who are at-risk	Enjoy outdoor activities and no need to modify behaviours
Guidance for general population
Toronto Public Health	Monitor for potential deterioration of air quality that may lead to activation of Level 1

Level 1 Response

AQHI Moderate Risk (4-6) and Smoke Event SAQS Issued

Everyone should monitor the AQHI for deteriorating conditions when planning outdoor activities and events.

Level 1 Response
Guidance for those who are at-risk	Consider reducing strenuous outdoor activity if you are having symptoms
Guidance for general population	No need to modify usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation
Toronto Public Health	Monitor AQHI forecast and PM2.5 levels frequently to identify potential worsening of air quality and the potential for Level 2 Response to be activated Initiate proactive communications including using social media to alert the public of deteriorating air quality and its potential health impacts. Reinforce and amplify messaging from Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on health impacts of deteriorating air quality and actions for the public Monitor for health system impacts

Level 2 Response

AQHI High Risk (7-10) and Smoke Event SAQS Issued

Everyone should monitor the AQHI for deteriorating conditions when planning outdoor activities and events.

Level 2 Response
Guidance for those who are at-risk	Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors
Guidance for general population	Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation
Toronto Public Health	Monitor AQHI forecast and PM2.5 Level twice daily and identify potential worsening of air quality and the potential for Level 3 Response to be activated Liaise and coordinate with the provincial government (e.g. MECP, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario) Provide public health guidance to the public and circulate health messages through appropriate digital platforms to amplify ECCC or MECP webpages and statements Liaise with City divisions and other stakeholders to provide public health support and public health key messages (e.g., Shelters, Support & Housing Administration, Parks Forestry & Recreation, Economic Development & Culture, Toronto Emergency Management, Children’s Services, Senior Services and Long-term Care, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board) Monitor for health system impacts

Level 3 Response

AQHI Very High Risk (10+) for >24 hours and Smoke Event SAQS Issued

Everyone should consider reducing outdoor activities where possible and continue to monitor the AQHI and City websites for updated forecasts and health messages.

Level 3 Response
Guidance for those who are at-risk	Avoid strenuous activities outdoors
Guidance for general population	Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation
Toronto Public Health	Monitor AQHI forecast, SAQS and PM2.5 Level twice daily and identify potential worsening of air quality Liaise and coordinate with the provincial government (e.g. MECP, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario) Provide public health guidance to the public and circulate health messages through appropriate digital platforms amplify ECCC or MECP webpages and statements Promote Heat Relief Network locations that vulnerable populations can access, including those who are experiencing homelessness or those who cannot shelter adequately at home Liaise with City divisions and other stakeholders to provide public health support and public health key messages (e.g., Shelters, Support & Housing Administration, Parks Forestry & Recreation, Economic Development & Culture, Toronto Emergency Management, Children’s Services, Senior Services and Long-term Care, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board) Monitor for health system impacts

Next Steps

Throughout the remainder of 2023, and on an ongoing basis in preparation for future wildfire seasons, TPH will monitor, evaluate, and update the Wildfire Smoke Response Strategy. This will reflect input from the provincial government, a review of the evidence on the role of masks, and new evidence that emerges and lessons learned.

Additionally, TPH will work with other City divisions and external stakeholders (e.g., shelters, schools, long-term care homes and the healthcare sector) to find opportunities for collaboration to reduce the health impacts of wildfire smoke with a focus on vulnerable residents.

Pre-season Preparedness Plan

Prior to the 2024 wildfire season, TPH will identify and review changes in public health responses for wildfire smoke by:

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

In addition to this work, TPH will provide messaging to the public and stakeholders before the wildfire season about measures they can take to be prepared for wildfire smoke events.