CANADA VIBES NEWSROOM · MORNING EDITION
Sunday, July 19, 2026 · 8:00 AM ET

More than 180 wildfires are currently burning in Ontario, fuelled by extreme heat and dry conditions, blanketing large parts of the province in dense smoke that has degraded air quality for more than a week.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) has remained high to very high across much of the province, with an orange haze settling over downtown Toronto, which was ranked among the worst air quality in the world for several days. Health officials are advising residents to limit time outdoors, particularly children, seniors and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions.

The thickest smoke plume continues drifting south, significantly affecting London, Sarnia and Windsor, before spreading into the Great Lakes region, New England and as far south as Maryland. Studies cite an increase in heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and respiratory illness linked to prolonged smoke exposure.

Rainfall of 10 to 20 mm is expected in Northern Ontario between Thursday afternoon and Sunday, which could offer some relief, though it is unlikely to resolve the situation in southern Ontario in the short term.

What to watch

• How the Air Quality Health Index evolves across southern Ontario in coming days.
• Continued smoke impacts on neighbouring U.S. states.
• Firefighting efforts and possible additional federal support.

Sources: NPR, The Weather Network, CP24.