Mississauga’s air quality affected by wildfire smoke

The thick, dense smoke billowing from the wildfires is blowing long distances affecting air quality levels in Mississauga. Wildfire smoke is different from common air pollution. Fine particulate matter along with gases like carbon monoxide can be inhaled which can lead to inflammation that affects other parts of your body.

Many Canadian cities and regions use two resources issued by Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to monitor air quality – the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and Special Air Quality Statements (SAQS).

Exposure to air pollution

Reducing exposure to air pollution including wildfire smoke is the best way to protect your health. Common symptoms of being exposed to wildfire smoke for a prolonged period include irritation, sore throat, cough, headache and difficulty breathing. Anyone who has severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, catching their breath or heart palpitations should seek medical attention immediately.

Vulnerable groups including seniors, pregnant individuals, infants, young children, and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions are particularly at risk. People participating in strenuous outdoor activities are also at a heightened risk of adverse health effects due to prolonged exposure to polluted air – so proper caution and care should be considered.

Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke

Consider taking the following actions to protect your health during wildfire smoke events that lead to poor air quality:

• Assess your own sensitivity to air pollution.
• Download the WeatherCan app to be notified about air quality advisories and alerts.
• Prepare for smoke and air quality events by monitoring the AQHI or signing up to be alerted by email.
• When possible, stay indoors and reduce strenuous outside activities, especially high-intensity exercise or workouts until air quality improves.
• If at any point you feel unwell, reduce your exposure immediately.
• Consider reducing the intensity of outdoor activities or rescheduling them.
• Check in on loved ones, neighbours and friends, especially the elderly.
• For those working outdoors, where possible, avoid strenuous activities and take breaks indoors.
• Keep windows and doors closed and try to keep cool indoors.
• Set your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to recirculate when the outdoor air is poor and bring in fresh air when the outdoor air has improved.
• Limit the use of kitchen and bathroom fans. Negative air pressure created by these ventilation systems will draw in wildfire smoke.
• Consider purchasing an air purifier to clean the air in your home.
• If you need a place to go, public spaces like the City’s libraries and community centres are open for those who need a break from the outdoors. Shopping malls and movie theatres often have large filtration systems and are good for indoor air quality as well.
• Make sure to stay well hydrated to help remove toxins from both your kidneys and liver which can help reduce inflammation caused by long exposure to wildfire smoke.
• For at-risk individuals and those who are unhoused in our community, there are immediate support services and resources available. You can also temporarily relocate to a library or community centre.

Wildfires and climate change

Climate change is shifting our temperatures and causing more extreme weather events. This situation underscores the urgent need for action and adaptation strategies to address the wider environmental challenges that contribute to these increasingly frequent and severe wildfires.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, reports that climate change is making weather conditions more favourable for wildfires to spread faster and further. Overtime, this happens because extreme heat dries out the soil and plants, making them very dry and easier to catch fire. These conditions help fires grow quickly, especially with strong winds.

As a City, we are adopting proactive measures, including better forest management, community preparedness, and plans aimed at mitigating climate change, to reduce the occurrence and impact of these destructive events in our community.

Learn more about the City’s Climate Change Action Plan and the actions the City is taking to help fight climate change.

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• Public Safety
• Weather Conditions and Warnings