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
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.