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Much of Ontario under air quality warnings amid wildfire smoke: Environment Canada

Smoke from wildfires burning in other parts of Canada has prompted Environment Canada to issue air quality warnings or statements for much of Ontario.
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People stop along a highway as a large active wildfire fills the sky with smoke in the background in the La Ronge, Sask., area in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Smoke from wildfires burning in other parts of Canada has prompted Environment Canada to issue air quality warnings or statements for much of Ontario.

The agency placed parts of northern Ontario under an air quality warning on Thursday afternoon as wildfires scorch Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

It warns smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in regions including Fort Hope, Kenora and Sandy Lake.

Environment Canada says high concentrations of wildfire smoke have moved south of the area and may remain in place for the next several days.

The agency has also issued special air quality statements for northern Ontario communities including Dryden and Timmins, as well as a large swath of southern Ontario spanning Windsor to Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area.

The weather agency says the statements are in place through Friday, adding residents should consider limiting time outdoors and be mindful of smoke exposure symptoms.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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