‘Very high risk’ air warnings grip Golden Horseshoe in day three

Air quality warnings across Hamilton, Halton and the Niagara regions continue to stay the same on Friday according to Environment Canada, but are expected to improve over the weekend.

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.

The smoky weather and poor air quality is affecting the city’s garbage collection in order to protect the health and safety of workers.

The City of Hamilton says the service was suspended Thursday afternoon after about half of the routes were completed.

For residents whose waste was not collected on Thursday, it will be collected the following Thursday instead with a raised garbage limit to three bags or containers per residence.

On Friday, the air quality will determine if waste collection will be cancelled again.

For the City of Hamilton, the air quality is expected to sit around 10 on Saturday at a high risk and drop to six on Sunday, making it a moderate risk.

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

Halton Region

The Halton region also continues to see a very high risk on the Air Quality Health Index, including Burlington, Oakville and Milton.

Fortunately, it is also expected to drop to a high risk on Saturday and a moderate risk on Sunday.

Niagara Region

After facing a moderate air quality warning on Wednesday, the Niagara Region, including St. Catharines, was upgraded to a very high risk on Thursday, where it currently remains.

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.

Some wineries and wine tourism companies in the Niagara Region are adjusting their operations for visitors concerned about the lingering wildfire smoke in the air.

Grape Escape Wine Tours in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls is offering alternatives including e-bikes and vehicle tours. It is being more flexible with tour lengths and the rescheduling policy.

Henry of Pelham Winery in St. Catharines had to move a gathering indoors earlier this week as the smoke thickened.

The air quality in this region is also expected to show some signs of improvement over the weekend with a high risk on Saturday and falling to a moderate risk on Sunday.

Ontario

Toronto topped the list as the city with the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday. However on both Thursday and Friday, Detroit has ranked first.

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

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed his administration is coordinating closely with Ontario and is prepared to help as needed.

Meanwhile, officials report 180 active fires across the northern regions: 136 in the northwest (including 63 out of control) and 44 in the northeast.

Parks across the province that normally charge a day use fee are still offering free entry on Friday as scheduled despite widespread poor air quality.

WATCH MORE: Locals take refuge indoors as Hamilton continues to see hazardous air quality