Canada is dealing with a weather double-whammy this week, with significant pockets of the country still mired in heavy wildfire smoke, record-breaking heat — or a gruelling combination of both.
On Monday, Environment Canada issued special air quality statements across Central Canada, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, telling residents to restrict outdoor activity because of the wildfire smoke wafting in from the Prairies and northern Ontario. People in affected areas have been advised to look for symptoms including coughing, throat irritation and difficulty breathing.
In Toronto, air quality did improve somewhat in the evening, but a heat warning rapidly replaced it. Maximum temperatures that will continue to fly high, climbing between 31°C and 35°C until Thursday. There are similar heat warnings for parts of northern Lake Huron — and stretches of eastern Canada, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
When poor air quality and heat coincide, the focus should be on keeping cool, officials emphasize. They also recommend staying inside, keeping hydrated and checking on elderly or vulnerable people, as well as children.
With wildfires continuing to burn and temperatures soaring, Canadians are preparing for what is expected to be another gruelling week of summer.
