Outdoor pools and programs shut down due to poor air quality in Mississauga

All outdoor swimming pools in Mississauga are closed on Thursday and city-run recreational activities planned for outside have either been cancelled or moved indoors as extremely poor air quality continues to plague the Greater Toronto Area.

City of Mississauga officials said shortly before 9 a.m. this morning that due to the poor air quality and a “very high (10-plus) Air Quality Health Index rating in Mississauga,” there will be widespread closures/cancellations of outdoor activities on Thursday.

Poor air quality continues to blanket Mississauga and much of southern Ontario as smoke from northern Ontario wildfires continues to travel south. The smoke is also impacting parts of the northern U.S.

City officials said in an advisory on Thursday morning that based on the poor air quality rating, residents of all ages are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

“Children, older adults and individuals experiencing symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation should take extra precautions and limit outdoor physical exertion,” the city said, adding all Thursday outdoor programming will be moved indoors where possible as a precaution.

Let’s Play in the Park programs cancelled

Let’s Play in the Park programs are cancelled and all outdoor pools are closed, officials said.

“Where possible, make-up classes for cancelled activities will be rescheduled to a later date or a refund will be issued if a class is not rescheduled.”

Outdoor permit holders can contact the city’s customer service centre at 905-615-4100 or by email at [email protected] with any questions.

“We will continue to share updated information as it becomes available on our Recreation and Arts and Culture websites,” city officials noted.

The city said in an earlier advisory that wildfire season is underway in Canada, with fires burning across several regions, including northern Ontario.

“Wildfire smoke can travel long distances and differs from typical urban air pollution. It contains fine particles and harmful gases that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and affecting overall health,” the city said in an advisory on Wednesday.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (aka Environment Canada) monitors and reports air quality using the Air Quality Health Index and issues Special Air Quality Statements when conditions worsen, the city added.

Areas shaded in orange are under a poor air quality warning on Thursday. (Image: Environment and Climate Change Canada)

While Environment and Climate Change Canada has lifted many of the heat warnings across the GTA and elsehwere in the province, those alerts have been replaced by poor air quality warnings.

The warnings are active in much of Ontario, from Thunder Bay down to Kingston in the east, through Toronto and Mississauga, and as far west as London and Windsor.

The national agency noted that common symptoms of smoke inhalation include throat irritation, headache and cough.

Environment Canada said winds from the northwest will continue to blanket southern Ontario with smoke from the northern fires until at least Friday.

The smoke was so bad on Wednesday that it turned Toronto’s skyline an eerie shade of orange and forced the first night of an outdoor music festival in London to end early.

People who are more likely to be impacted by poor air conditions, according to the city, include:

• Adults aged 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• Infants and young children
• People with existing health conditions, especially heart or lung issues
• People who work outdoors

“These groups should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities and seek medical advice if symptoms develop,” officials said.

— with files from The Canadian Press

(Cover photo: City of Mississauga)