Day two of air quality warnings brings ‘very high risk’ to Golden Horseshoe

Air quality warnings show no signs of improvement across Hamilton, Halton and the Niagara regions on Thursday as conditions continue to stay the same or worsen.

Air quality warnings are in place from Thunder Bay east to Kingston and southeast to Niagara Falls, as several First Nations communities north of the western part of Lake Superior are under mandatory fire evacuation orders.

The City of Hamilton

Downtown Hamilton, Hamilton Mountain and the city’s west end remain at a very high risk on the Air Quality Health Index, with readings of 10-plus.

Brantford also sits at a very high risk on the Air Quality Health Index, with readings of 10-plus.

Outdoor recreation programs, amenities and activities are closed Thursday, including Supie programs, wading and outdoor pools, and boat tours at Pier 8.

Wild Waterworks is also closed due to the poor air quality.

Meanwhile, some recreation programs and services have been modified to adjust to the air quality:

• Camp Kidaca programs will take place mainly indoors;
• Free Fitness at the Park will also move indoors;
• Additional open swims will be offered at indoor pools at Ancaster Aquatic Centre, Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre, Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier recreation Centre, and;
• Music on the Water will proceed at the discretion of the event organizer.

Golf courses will remain open, but Junior Golf Camp is postponed until Friday using the planned rain date.

Waste collection crews began Thursday on their routes, but due to the continued poor air quality only 50 per cent of scheduled collection routes were completed before service was paused.

For residents whose waste was not collected Thursday, it will be collected next Thursday — July 23 — with a raised garbage limit to three bags or containers per residence.

Residential blue box recycling collection has also been suspended for affected properties Thursday.

The YMCA Camp Chippewa at Christie Lake Conservation Area closed Thursday, but other YMCA Summer Day Camp locations remain open while operating with modified programming.

WATCH MORE: Air quality warnings spread across Golden Horseshoe as wildfires burn in northwestern Ontario

Halton Region

The Halton region is also seeing very high risk on the Air Quality Health Index, including Burlington, Oakville and Milton.

Niagara Region

On Wednesday, Niagara Region including St. Catharines was under a moderate air quality warning which has since been upgraded to a very high risk on Thursday.

In Lincoln, local conditions are posing an extreme fire risk. No open air fire is permitted as serious fires can start easily, spread quickly, burn intensely and can be very difficult to control.

The Town of Fort Erie has closed outdoor programs and facilities Thursday, including Bay Beach, splash pads, The Tennis Club and The Supper Market. Anyone who purchased a Bay Beach pass for Thursday will have their pass honoured on another day of their choosing.

The Greater Toronto Area

Toronto topped the list as the city with the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday. However on Thursday, Detroit now ranks first.

On Thursday night, the above regions are predicted to drop to a high risk, with a reading of eight.

On Friday, these regions are expected to have their air quality index read six, making it a moderate risk. However, these readings are anticipated to go back up to eight that same night.

Alberta wildfire officials say 94 firefighters and 13 aircraft have been sent to Ontario to help tame wildfires in the north.

READ MORE: Outdoor programming across Golden Horseshoe cancelled due to low air quality