Toronto Faces Record Air Pollution as Wildfire Smoke Spreads to US Cities

Monitor ranks Toronto as having the worst air quality on earth, surpassing Kinshasa, DR Congo, and New Delhi, India.

Toronto’s air quality has been classified as the worst globally as smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario blankets the city and drifts into the northeastern United States, prompting health alerts and evacuations. Environment Canada recorded an Air Quality Health Index of 10+ (“very high risk”) for Toronto, with hazardous conditions expected to linger through Thursday night.

IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, ranked Toronto as having the worst air quality globally, exceeding major cities like Kinshasa and New Delhi. Armen Araradian of IQAir noted that wildfires and elevated temperatures are the primary drivers of the pollution surge.

Though Canada’s 2026 wildfire season has been less intense than 2023 or 2025, over 800 fires are currently active nationwide, including 112 deemed out of control. These fires, concentrated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, have scorched 1.9 million hectares.

Viral footage captured a Canadian National train surrounded by flames near Armstrong, Ontario, leading to evacuations and suspended rail operations. Smoke from the fires worsened air quality in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. New York City issued warnings urging residents to limit outdoor activities, while state officials cautioned about the spread into the Great Lakes and New England regions.

University of Toronto professor Greg Evans warned that simultaneous heatwaves and wildfire smoke could become more frequent, urging urban planners and residents to prepare for future extreme weather events. Over 80,000 spectators are anticipated at the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, with 50,000 more gathering in New York’s Central Park, where hazy skies persisted amid health advisories.

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