Special air quality statement lifted Friday for Hamilton, Halton, Niagara regions

A special air quality statement for Hamilton and surrounding regions that had been in effect since Monday has been lifted Friday after smoke from out-of-control wildfires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec drifted away.

Environment Canada issued the alert as the forest fire smoke polluted the air in southern Ontario, including the Hamilton, Halton and Niagara regions.

Residents were at a “high risk” for the majority of the workweek as cities in the area ranked around seven out of 10 on Ontario’s air quality health index.

READ MORE: How to protect yourself from poor air quality due to Ontario wildfires

Brantford, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, Oakville and St. Catharines are at a “low risk” Friday morning, but are expected to rise to a “moderate risk” throughout the day.

Environment Canada and local public health units had urged residents to close their doors and windows and avoid outdoor activities.

Multiple school boards also cancelled outdoor recess and sports activities this week.

READ MORE: Special Air Quality Statement: Evening weather forecast for June 8, 2023

Local fire departments had issued fire bans and fireworks over Niagara Falls were paused as of Wednesday night.

Meantime, the hazardous haze of wildfire smoke continues to cause issues for millions of people along the US East Coast.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre says there were 431 fires burning on Thursday in nine provinces and two territories. That was down from 441 Wednesday, with Quebec extinguishing 10 fires since Wednesday morning.

The number of out-of-control fires also fell from 256 to 234 on Thursday, including a change in status for more than a dozen fires in Quebec.

READ MORE: Here’s what’s closed in Hamilton, surrounding area due to poor air quality

With files from The Canadian Press.