A thick, campfire-smelling haze is hanging over Hamilton for a second day Thursday as wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario continues to drive down air quality throughout the southern part of the province.
Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford and St. Catharines were at a 10+ rating on the Air Quality Health Index — the highest level on the scale — described as “very high risk.”
Air Quality Ontario, a provincial agency, says vulnerable people — such as children, seniors and people with “heart or breathing problems” — should avoid “outdoor physical exertion.” The agency is also advising the rest of the population to avoid vigorous exercise outside.
“Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation,” the agency posted online Thursday morning.
Members of First Nation destroyed by northwestern Ontario wildfire helped each other escape by boat
Wildfire smoke blankets Hamilton and Niagara Wednesday, prompting air quality warning and event cancellations
The smoky air coming from more than 100 wildfires in northwestern Ontario has led to several communities, many of them Anishinaabe, being evacuated or going on standby for a possible evacuation.
There are 176 active fires in Ontario, with 134 of them in the northwest region, the provincial Natural Resources Ministry said Thursday. Of those, 62 were out of control.
The provincial government issued a formal request for assistance to the federal government “to be prepared to expedite the deployment of federal resources to support evacuations.”
“This includes possible Canadian Armed Forces deployments,” said Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s minister of emergency preparedness and response.
Despite the warning, several work crews, including construction workers and landscapers, were out as usual in downtown Hamilton, working through the haze. Several pedestrians could be seen wearing masks.
In Niagara, where the sky had been a distinct orange hue at midday Wednesday, it was a dull grey on Thursday morning, with a faint smell like a distant campfire.
Most people on downtown St. Catharines main streets such as Saint Paul and King were without masks, and a construction crew tearing up asphalt on Niagara Street seemed unfazed by the air quality warnings.
Lake Ontario was barely visible from the QEW highway that runs alongside it, and vineyard workers could be seen out on the land, tending the grape-growing fields despite the smoke.
How Toronto’s wildfire smoke and air quality are impacting the city’s most vulnerable
Air Quality Ontario forecasts that the situation will improve over the next 24 hours, saying Thursday’s rating is expected to go from 10+ to 10 during the day and 8 overnight. Both of those ratings are still “high risk,” according to the agency. Friday is expected to be better, with an expected rating of 4, or moderate risk.
Not all parts of southern Ontario will be so lucky, with areas closer to Lake Huron still expected to see ratings above 10 on Friday.
For Erie
The Town of Fort Erie announced Thursday that splash pads are closed, the tennis club is closed, recreation programs are cancelled and the supper market scheduled for tonight has been cancelled.
The town said people can escape the smoke at the Fort Erie Leisureplex at 3 Municipal Centre Dr., or at the three town public library branches.
Port Colborne
All open-air fires, including bonfires, fire pits and any other type of outdoor fires, are prohibited in rural and urban areas, as well as campgrounds of Port Colborne, the city says.
Lincoln
The town has closed its outdoor pools until the air quality health index improves.
St. Catharines
The city is closing outdoor pools and sports fields, and cancelling outdoor events Thursday. The closures include city outdoor swimming lessons and aquatic programs, the Lakeside Park Carousel, city outdoor recreation programs and permits for outdoor spaces. Splash pads remain open until 9 p.m., and the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre will remain open until 8 p.m.
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls Lions and Buck Hinsperger pools are closed Thursday, the city says on its website, though lessons at Niagara Falls Lions pool are operating as scheduled. FH Leslie pool and Prince Charles pool remain open to “provide residents with access to cooling during the heat,” the city says. Certification courses scheduled at Prince Charles pool have been moved to the MacBain Community Centre. All City of Niagara Falls athletic fields are closed as well.
Niagara Parks says on its website that the nightly fireworks displays “will remain paused until air quality and visibility conditions improve.”
Hamilton
The City of Hamilton said Wednesday afternoon it would close all outdoor pools as of 4 p.m. The pools will reopen once the air quality warning is lifted. Those pools remain closed Thursday. Lakeland Pool, in Confederation Beach Park, is closed, the Hamilton Conservation Authority said on its website, “to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff.”
While waste collection crews began their day on their routes, the city said in an email that “operations were modified to protect the health and safety of staff. As a result, some waste may not be collected today. Further information will be shared with affected residents regarding adjusted pickup schedules as soon as possible.”
The YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford has closed Camp Chippewa at Christie Lake Conservation Area.
The Mount Hamilton Youth Soccer Club has cancelled all house league programming scheduled for Thursday, including games and practices, the club said in an email.
The city has also cancelled or closed Supie programs, wading pools as well as Pier 8 boat and trolley tours. Wild Waterworks is also closed.
The city says the following recreation programs and services will be modified Thursday:
Indoor open swims will be added for Thursday at the Ancaster Aquatic Centre from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Golf courses will remain open but Junior Golf Camp is postponed until Friday.
Welland
The City of Welland’s website said it “will continue to pause select outdoor recreation programs and activities” Thursday. All city swimming pools are closed, as are Rec Rentals at The Docks on the recreational canal and The Empire Sportsplex.
Brantford
Woodman Pool and Earl Haig Family Fun Park are closed Thursday.
Burlington
The city has closed outdoor pools and outdoor recreation programs. Movies Under the Stars, scheduled for Thursday, has also been cancelled.
