Smoke from Alberta wildfires visible in parts of Ontario
The smoke from nearly 90 wildfires burning in Alberta has reached Ontario.
Environment and Climate Change Canada said residents in the northeastern, eastern, and southeastern parts of the province will observe hazy skies on Tuesday as the fires continue.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Peter Kimbell, a warning preparedness meteorologist at Environment Canada, said the smoke from Alberta actually travelled north before arriving in Ontario on Monday.
“The smoke has made a long trip. Basically across the Arctic in a sort-of horseshoe pattern before plunging southward over southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area,” he told CTV News Toronto over the phone on Tuesday.
Images released by the agency from Earlton and Peterborough, Ont. showed the sun shining through a darkened haze on Tuesday. However, no air quality statements have been issued likely due to the height of the smoke, Kimbell explained.
“We don’t have any poor air quality as a result of [the haze] because the smoke has really kind of risen into the higher levels of the atmosphere,” he said.
A view of the residual smoke path from the Alberta wildfires is seen in this image. (AirNow)
As for how long the haze is going to last, Kimbell said that depends on the smoke’s trajectory.
“It probably won’t persist as those winds push eastward. It shouldn’t really affect Ontario for that long, initially. It could very well return later, but at this point it’s not going to persist for too long.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith declared a state of emergency on Saturday as tens of thousands of hectares continued to burn. Of the 89 active fires in the province, 24 are listed as out of control.
Smith has called the situation that has left more than 29,000 people displaced “unprecedented.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.