Wildfire smoke brings poor air quality to Waterloo Region
Posted Jul 14, 2025 03:59:17 AM.
Last Updated Jul 14, 2025 10:32:27 AM.
Wildfire smoke has once again impacted air quality in Waterloo Region.
Air quality levels hovered around high risk for Sunday evening and Monday morning. Environment Canada issued a widespread special air quality statement as a result.
According to the weather authority, the poor air quality is due to wildfires burning in northern Ontario, blowing smoke down into the southern portion of the province. Wildfires also continue to rage on in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, leading to a province-wide state of emergency in Manitoba.
In Waterloo Region, air quality health index levels are hovering around 7, or the low end of the high-risk zone.
As with previous air quality concerns this year, Environment Canada warns eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough are all possible side effects.
“If you’re a person with asthma or other respiratory ailments, you do want to stay inside, close the windows, as it does vary over the course of the day,” said Dr. Ze’ev Gedalof, wildfire specialist with the University of Guelph. “N95 masks, if they’re worn properly, are a really good barrier.”
The air quality is expected to improve as Monday progresses.
Gedalof added that predicting the impacts of wildfire smoke can be incredibly difficult.
“Where that smoke blows is not a question of climate, it’s a question of weather,” he added. “Really, we can only predict it up to about five days. The nature of weather is such that after about five days it becomes intrinsically unpredictable.”
That heat warning however, warns humidex levels could make it feel like 35 to 40 until Thursday.
With files from Josh Piercey, 570 NewsRadio.
