Wildfire smoke expected to drift into southern Ontario

Wildfire smoke could drift into southern Ontario this week.

The fires have raged across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario this month. On Wednesday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said 17,000 people have been evacuated from several communities and First Nations as he placed his entire province under a state of emergency.

Parts of Ontario are being impacted by smoke drift from the active fires in the province and the prairie provinces, the Ministry of Natural Resources said on X on Thursday.

FireSmoke Canada, a portal for information about wildland fire weather and smoke, predicts the smoke will drift into southern Ontario, impacting air quality.

The FireSmoke Canada forecast map shows smoke moving into southern Ontario on Friday afternoon.

The forecast map shows smoke moving in on Friday afternoon.

Special air quality statements for smoke are in effect for parts of northern Ontario on Thursday.

The statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada said smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility in areas near the Manitoba border, north of Thunder Bay.

Wildfire smoke is expected to affect the area on Thursday and possibly into Friday for some locations.

As smoke levels increase, health risks increase, the advisory said. People may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.

People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.

For more information on smoke and forest fire forecasts, see the FireSmoke website here.

Parts of #ON are being impacted by smoke drift from active #WildlandFires in ON and the prairie provinces. Visit https://t.co/xLyWPZIh7j for current and forecasted smoke conditions. If you are concerned about health impacts of smoke, visit https://t.co/qN4GTBy574 or dial 811. pic.twitter.com/jvDUw8IrZF

— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) May 29, 2025

With files from The Canadian Press

Lead photo: Johannes Plenio