Wildfires raging across northwestern Ontario have triggered dense smog and significantly worsened air quality across several parts of Canada, including national capital Ottawa, and the country's largest city, Toronto, news agency IANS reported. The wildfires have also disrupted rail operations, forced evacuations, and renewed concerns about the growing impact of climate change on Canada's wildfire seasons.

Toronto records hazardous air quality

On Wednesday (local time), Toronto ranked among the cities with the poorest air quality in the world. Environment Canada classified the city's Air Quality Health Index as "very high risk", warning residents to limit outdoor activities. Ottawa also issued air quality advisories as wildfire smoke mixed with humid weather conditions, trapping harmful pollutants close to the ground and turning the sky a hazy yellow.