Smoke from wildfires causing poor air quality across Canada, including Montreal

Almost the entire country, including Montreal, is under an Environment Canada air quality warning or special weather statement on Friday, as wildfires continue to rage across the Prairies causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the statement saying that “as smoke levels increase, health risks increase.”

“Limit time outdoors,” they added. “Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.”

The agency also pointed out the people most likely to suffer health effects from air pollution:

• Anyone aged 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• Infants and young children
• People with existing illnesses or chronic health conditions
• Individuals who work outdoors

According to infectious disease specialist at McGill University Dr. Donald Vinh, quantity of fine particles, which can trigger bronchitis and heart attacks, is at a critical level in Montreal — 16 times above the dangerous levels established by the World Health Organization.

On the federal agency’s map, messages regarding deteriorating air quality cover northern British Columbia and the Prairies, as well as almost all of Ontario and Quebec.

In some places, conditions will gradually improve throughout the day, but other areas could see poor air quality until Saturday, or even longer.

In Quebec, the Air Quality Health Index indicates a “high risk” for Montreal, Quebec City, and Gatineau—the three cities available on Environment Canada’s website—for Friday.

#WATCH: "We can't localize it to one particular fire," says Steven Flisfeder, Meteorologist at Environment Canada on their special weather statement where almost the entire country is under an air quality warning due to wildfires.

READ: https://t.co/AujBSJomxu pic.twitter.com/dxCXY5jAb3

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) June 6, 2025

“We can’t localize it to any one particular fire,” said Steven Flisfeder, meteorologist at ECCC. “There’s hundreds of fires across the prairies, Northern Ontario, a few in Quebec, so all the smoke from those fires reaches into the upper atmosphere and is transported through the atmosphere depending on the weather patterns.”

“As it happens, high concentrations from all of those fires are contributing to the poor air quality in Montreal,” he added.

From ECCC’s model guidance, there is more smoke making its way towards southern Quebec, the agency explained.

“So further exposure is possible later in the day Saturday, at least right now,” said Flisfeder. “Sunday is a bit of a question mark, we recommend staying as up to date as possible with our forecasts and our air quality statements and all alerts for that matter, so you can stay as safe as possible.”

Outdoor Events

With the warm weather the city is feeling Friday, 28°C with the humidex, many are perhaps planning to attend outdoor events.

Like going to the Montreal Alouettes home opener tonight, where they’re set to kick off their season at the Molson Stadium.

“As of now there’s a game,” Francis Dupont, communications manager for the Alouettes told CityNews on Friday morning.

“If ever there’s something we’ll let people know,” he added.

As for Quebec’s largest Japanese street market — YATAI MTL — they told CityNews that the festival is also still on.

“There are no schedule changes or cancellations planned due to the wildfire smoke,” said Charles Nguyen, the festival coordinator. “However, we are advising attendees who may be at risk to follow health guidelines and take necessary precautions.”

“If you have, say, a house party or a barbecue, something like that, consider postponing it to another day where the forecasts are much clearer,” said Flisfeder. “Or take it indoors.”

“There’s things that you can do to prevent any further exposure and keep everybody safe,” he added. “Not just yourself, but your friends, loved ones, neighbours, everybody.”

Schools

As of now, there is no directive from the Ministry to keep kids indoors, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) told CityNews on Friday morning.

“The EMSB and our principals will monitor the situation throughout the day and act accordingly,” said EMSB media relations officer, Daniel Smajovits.

Common symptoms caused by poor air quality

Common symptoms can include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough.

“More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,” ECCC added. “If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.”

#WATCH: "People already closing their windows, wearing masks again," said Debbie Oulvey, a New Yorker visiting Montreal, on the special air quality statement issued by ECCC about wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan bringing a haze over the city this morning. pic.twitter.com/7VbHeykxk0

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) June 6, 2025

“Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke.”

ECCC also advises to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible, and prioritize keeping your home cool when there’s an extreme heat event occuring with poor air quality.

“Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke,” they said. “Actions can include using a clean, good-quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.”

Anyone who must go outside is encouraged to wear a mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) to reduce exposure to the fine particles in the smoke.

“Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution,” ECCC said. “Always follow guidance from local authorities.”

What are Montrealers noticing?

“Oh, I noticed a haze when I was walking into work this morning,” said Ronald Bray, a City Sweeper. “I had my mouth covered when I was coming into work.”

“I mean, air quality is already bad,” added Shireen Ford, a construction worker whose shifts are fully outdoors. “You’ve got to do the job and it needs to get done.”

“If it gets intense that I really have difficulties, yes, of course, I will wear a mask,” she added. “But for now, it’s all right.”

While May was “relatively quiet” for forest fires in Quebec, according to SOPFEU, the situation is quite different in the Prairies.

More than 30,000 people in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been forced from their homes due to the numerous wildfires that have broken out in recent days.

Saskatchewan is battling 25 active fires and an estimated 400 structures have burned. Manitoba has 27 active blazes, a third of which are out of control. There are also 55 fires burning in Alberta, 23 of which are out of control.

In the United States, smoke from the wildfires has even reached Florida. Earlier this week, several Midwestern states issued weather warnings due to conditions deemed “very unhealthy.”

Dr. Donald Cuong Vinh said the poor air quality is not just restricted to Canada.

“It’s traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and it’s actually causing problems in European countries,” said Dr. Vinh. “This is a major global problem, not just a Montreal problem.”

Large plumes of smoke have also crossed the Atlantic Ocean and have been hovering over Europe since mid-May, according to the European Copernicus service.

The current situation is reminiscent of the 2023 wildfire season, when much of North America was blanketed in smoke.

—With files from The Canadian Press, first published in French and translated by CityNews