Air quality statement issued as wildfire smoke returns to eastern Ontario
Environment Canada has issued another air quality statement as smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario returns to the region.
A hazy sky blanketed Ottawa early last week until a cold front and thunderstorm pushed some of the smoky air away from the region. A statement about air quality due to wildfire smoke was first issued last Monday evening. Environment Canada lifted it at around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
New plumes of smoke have since blown in from the northwest.
"Smoke plumes from active forest fires in northwestern Ontario might cause deteriorated air quality for portions of eastern Ontario tonight. Conditions may persist into Monday," Environment Canada said.
"Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk."
The alerts are in place for much of southern Ontario, including Toronto and Hamilton.
A smog warning is in effect for Gatineau, Que.
"Smog especially affects asthmatic children and people with respiratory ailments or heart disease. It is therefore recommended that these individuals avoid intense physical activity outdoors until the smog warning is lifted," Environment Canada said.
More than 500 people were flown to Cornwall, Ont. to find shelter after a full evacuation order was issued for Deer Lake First Nation, about 300 km north of Kenora. The residents are being sheltered at Cornwall's Nav Centre.
Severe thunderstorm warning issued
Environment Canada has also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Ottawa, Kanata and Orléans.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Ottawa and for the Prescott and Russell area.
The storm could bring rain, possible hail, and strong winds, but should move out of the region Sunday night.
"Thunderstorms over Quebec are expected to intensify as they move southeastward towards extreme eastern Ontario. Quarter size hail and wind gusts to 90 km/h are possible. The severe weather threat should end after 9 p.m. EDT," Environment Canada said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.