air quality toronto

Thick blanket of haze accompanied by smoky smell in Toronto

A thick haze has rolled in to Toronto that at first was mystifying, then kind of pretty, and now feels like it's taking over the city along with a smoky smell.

The air quality in the city is dismal because of it, with an Air Quality Health Index on Monday of 6 in the "moderate" range, also classified as the "unhealthy" range.

Unfortunately, the muggy haze is due to wildfires that have been raging up north.

Over 100 fires are blazing in northwestern Ontario, with winds blowing the smoke south.

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to your health, so people are encouraged to take precautions with exposure.

The smokiness in the air led to views of a bright red sun which inspired tons of photos.

Throughout Monday, a thick smoky haze descended down upon the city.

While images of a city blanketed in haze are certainly surreal, the smell of smoke isn't so pleasant.

Hopefully the fires will subside soon and we can look forward to clearer skies and fresher air (well, as fresh as we can expect in Toronto).

Lead photo by

Mike Beauvais


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto has one of the highest unemployment rates among major cities in Canada

The average hourly wage for Canadian employees is now almost $35

This Ontario city is trying to lure residents from Toronto with its cheap cost of living

This ultra-poisonous Ontario plant looks delicious but can easily kill you

Here's why there's an abandoned space-age bunker below a Toronto highway

People in Toronto wondering about mysterious black boxes spotted around the city

Video shows arsonist casually pouring gas on car and torching it in Richmond Hill

Toronto water taxi options for when you want to get to the Island and back