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

Another toronto highway is about to become a gridlocked mess due to lane closures

Outrage after Ontario student explains how to use food banks for free groceries in viral video

Invasive 'zombie plant' species is wreaking havoc across Ontario lakes

Almost nobody believes Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT will open this year

5 million people transferred from TTC in under 2 months with One Fare program

Toronto is giving away free trees for you to plant outside your home

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau gets candid about new book

Some Canadians fed up with constant complaints about the country