According to Environment Canada, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in the country at 9:30 am IST was recorded between the low and high categories. The residents of the region with a very high risk are advised to avoid strenuous activities outdoors, while children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion.
For the general population, it’s advisable to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, particularly when experiencing symptoms like coughing or throat irritation.According to the weather office, the smoke was causing or was likely to create poor air quality and reduced visibility. It added that some places might experience smoke till Monday, Global News reported.
“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,” according to an air quality statement. Poor air quality can cause mild symptoms like eye, nose and throat irritation and some serious but less common symptoms such as chest pains and severe coughing. It comes as over 700 wildfires burn across Canada, including one on the north banks of Cameron Lake in British Columbia, roughly 60 kilometres from Nanaimo, which prompted hundreds to leave.
According to government records, Canada is suffering its second-worst wildfire season, with roughly 4,000 fires documented this year, NPR reported.
The hardest-hit locations include La Ronge, Saskatchewan; Flin Flon, Manitoba; and Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories, where the AQHI remained ‘extremely high’ for several hours Saturday. Environment Canada issues air-quality advisories when the AQHI exceeds 10 for at least six hours in a row. When the index level reaches 7 or 10, a special air-quality statement is issued.
The wildfire smoke has also affected US cities, prompting health alerts and advisories. Over the last week, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, and other Midwestern cities saw alarming AQI readings, triggering health warnings. In Minnesota, it was the longest continuous air-quality advisory in state history.
Speaking with NPR, Bob Oravec, Lead Forecaster for the National Weather Service, said that present wind patterns are allowing dirty air from Canada to enter the United States. “Air is moving at all levels and a lot of times it’ll move in the same direction through the whole depth of the atmosphere, so the smoke is rising into the winds and the winds just transport it downstream, like anything — like a leaf getting blown,” Oravec added.
Social media users are sharing information and updates regarding the wildfires. A user wrote, “Canada is burning and the AQI in Minnesota is atrocious and will continue to be for a while.”
The air in MN right now is the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes an hour thanks to Canadian wildfires.
But for less than $100, I can breathe much easier. ????Here’s how a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box can clean your air and protect your lungs. pic.twitter.com/98QqbDNMVE— Spike (@spikesguides) August 2, 2025
In an X post on Friday, another user said, “This is our sunrise this morning, and the air quality index is at 163. Smoke from Canadian forest fires that they let burn, but we live with the stench & unhealthy consequences!”
The @EPA should sue Canada on our behalf! This is our sunrise this morning and the air quality index is at 163. Smoke from Canadian forest fires that they let burn but we live with the stench & unhealthy consequences! Happens every year and it’s been like this for weeks! ???? pic.twitter.com/9sn3E5bkWv
– Bengelk (@Bengelk2) August 1, 2025
“This air quality map should anger every American. Canadian wildfires are wreaking havoc on the environment, wildlife, precious resources, and our air quality,” the third user posted.
This air quality map should anger every American.
Canadian wildfires are wreaking havoc on the environment, wildlife, precious resources, and our air quality.It’s getting worse every summer.
Canada needs to figure it out…& pursue strong forest management/restoration efforts pic.twitter.com/LJQ6VzT08R
— Benji Backer (@BenjiBacker) August 1, 2025
