The wildfires and poor air quality have led to some closures and changes in Hamilton and the surrounding areas.
On Wednesday the city responded to the poor air quality by cancelling all rental permits for outdoor sports fields and amenities. They opened back up on Thursday as air quality posed a moderate health risk according to the province of Ontario.
READ MORE: Poor air quality continues in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara regions
In Burlington city officials say permit holders concerned about the air quality can cancel or reschedule their rentals if they’d prefer.
Forge FC is scheduled to host Pacific at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday, and the team says so far the game is still a go. A spokesperson says the team and the Canadian Premier League (CPL) are closely monitoring the air quality and if they decide to postpone, that change will be announced on social media.
READ MORE: How to protect yourself from poor air quality due to Ontario wildfires
The Hamilton Cardinals say games at Bernie Arbour Stadium scheduled for Friday and Sunday are still on, but that could change if the city decides to once again cancel rental permits for outdoor sport and recreation amenities. The team says Saturday’s game in Brantford is still happening and it will be up to officials in that jurisdiction to decide if the game should be cancelled.
Conservation Halton is still holding its Pride barbeque and bonfire event Friday night, without the bonfire. A representative of Conservation Halton told CHCH News, “We’re just taking a slight pivot on the bonfire portion and making the evening more about the games the fun the food.”
READ MORE: Ford urges Ontarians not to light campfires as crews battle wildfires
Most of the municipalities across our region have issued outdoor fire bans due to dry conditions creating an elevated risk of wildland and grassland fires, and poor air quality.
The poor air also led the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board to cancel outdoor activities.
READ MORE: HWDSB keeping students inside for recess as air quality decreases
In Niagara Falls, the evening fireworks have been cancelled for the second night in a row.
Hamilton’s John C. Munro Airport says the smokey conditions have not caused any impact on operations so far, but they are prepared if things change. Toronto Pearson Airport is warning people that flights from the eastern U.S. could be affected.
READ MORE: Poor air quality prompts cancellations, warnings in Toronto
