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Hazy conditions and very poor air quality is likely to persist over the next few days in Waterloo region and Guelph areas, Environment and Climate Change Canada warns.
The weather agency issued an orange level air quality warning for much of southern Ontario Wednesday saying smoke from wildfires in the northwestern parts of the province is causing “very poor” air quality and reduced visibility.
“You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough,” Environment Canada said in its warning.
“More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.”
Thick haze and smog envelop Waterloo region Guelph, and area Wednesday morning. This follows Environment and Climate Change Canada upgrading the local air quality alert from yellow to orange. Conditions are expected to persist until Friday. CBC K-W’s Carmen Groleau reports.
Henry Fung, an operational meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said people should limit how much time they spend out doors and gives some tips on how to stay safe.
“Keep windows, doors closed as much as possible and if you must spend time outdoors, wear a respirator type mask,” he told CBC News.
“Check on others in your care or whoever lives nearby that is more likely to be impacted by the smoke.”
Those include people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and children, as well as people with chronic health conditions and people who work outdoors.
Environment Canada said conditions are expected to improve Friday morning.
Some events modified, others cancelled
Events like outdoor watch parties for the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final game today between Argentina and England are being modified, while others are being cancelled.
The Downtown Kitchener BIA said there will be no screening of the game today due to the poor air quality.
At Cambridge’s Gaslight District, the group said the people can still watch the game on the big screen, but an indoor option will be available at Tapestry Hall.
Both Kitchener and Cambridge have temporarily closed outdoor pools and all city-run events including summer camps will be moved indoors.
“Non-essential outdoor city work and services have been paused, while critical services continue,” Cambridge said in a release.
“Outdoor recreation bookings, including sports fields and picnic areas, remain at the discretion of organizers.”
Kitchener’s Play in the Park program and mobile skatepark program have been cancelled. A yoga hike at Kiwanis Park Wednesday night has been rescheduled for July 22 at 6:45 p.m. Yoga in the park at Civic Centre Park has been cancelled.
Backyard fires and open burns in Kitchener are not permitted and no new open burn permits will be issued or approved during the ban.
Kitchener is also offering free indoor public swims at Cameron Heights Pool from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and at Grand River Recreation Complex’s Lyle Hallman Pool from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In Waterloo, minor soccer cancelled practices Wednesday night.
In Guelph, both minor soccer and minor baseball have cancelled games and practices, while minor softball has cancelled games but not practices.
Where to find cooling and clean air spaces
Region of Waterloo Public Health has a list of cooling and clear air spaces on its website, as well as an interactive map for people to use.
Those spaces include libraries and community centres across the tri-cities and townships.
Public health officials in Guelph and Wellington County also released a new map in June to also help the community find places to beat the heat and find clean air.
Philip Wong, operations director of environmental health with the health unit, told CBC News in June public health added clean air spaces in the area because poor air quality due to wildfire smoke has become a recurring issue.
“We had a big one back in 2023 and we saw some in 2024 and a little last year and it seems to be an annual thing now so we have started to incorporate clean air spaces within our messaging,” Wong said.
