The air quality monitoring station at Kitchener’s Conestoga College reported some of the worst readings in Ontario yesterday, as smoke from Quebec wildfires continues to blanket parts of Eastern Canada. At one point, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reached 8 out of 10, placing it in the “high risk” category – something we rarely see in a region typically known for its clean environment.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in the 15 years I’ve lived here,” says Mei Wong, a mother of two in Waterloo who kept her children indoors for the third straight day. “The sky has this eerie yellowish tint, and you can smell it as soon as you step outside. My son’s asthma is acting up even though we’ve kept the windows closed.”
Environment Canada has maintained an air quality advisory for Waterloo Region, warning that fine particulate matter from the wildfires poses serious health concerns, especially for vulnerable populations. These microscopic particles, often referred to as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
When I visited Victoria Park yesterday afternoon, the normally bustling pathways were nearly deserted. The few people who ventured out wore masks – not for COVID, but to filter the haze that reduced visibility to just a few hundred meters in some areas.
Dr. Aliya Ramsey, a respirologist at Grand River Hospital, tells me they’ve seen a 30% increase in emergency department visits related to respiratory issues since the smoke arrived.
“We’re particularly concerned about children, seniors, and anyone with pre-existing conditions like asthma or COPD,” Dr. Ramsey explains. “Even healthy individuals should limit outdoor exertion until conditions improve. The particles in wildfire smoke can trigger inflammation in the airways that persists long after the smoke clears.”
What makes this situation particularly concerning is the duration of exposure. While air quality issues are not uncommon in larger urban centers, Waterloo Region has historically enjoyed relatively clean air compared to places like Toronto or Hamilton. This sustained period of poor air quality represents an unprecedented challenge for local residents and health systems.
The Region of Waterloo Public Health has responded by opening several “clean air shelters” in community centers and libraries, where HEPA filters provide respite for those without access to air conditioning or air purifiers. The Cambridge Centre mall has also become an unofficial gathering place for seniors seeking relief from the heat and smoke.
“We’re especially worried about equity issues,” says Tara Williams, an environmental health specialist with the Region. “Not everyone can afford air purifiers or has the luxury of staying home from work. This isn’t just an environmental crisis – it’s highlighting existing social vulnerabilities.”
Climate scientists have long warned that wildfires would become more frequent and intense as global temperatures rise. Dr. Hannah Kim, a climate researcher at the University of Waterloo, points out that what we’re experiencing is consistent with climate modeling.
“These aren’t isolated incidents,” Dr. Kim emphasizes. “The science is clear that as temperatures rise, we’ll see more drought conditions that create ideal conditions for wildfires. And atmospheric patterns can carry that smoke hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.”
The smoke has also prompted difficult conversations about our changing climate. At a coffee shop in Uptown Waterloo – where the air inside was noticeably clearer thanks to commercial-grade filtration – I overheard parents discussing how to explain the situation to their children without causing anxiety.
Local schools have cancelled outdoor activities, and summer camps have moved programming indoors. The Region has also postponed several outdoor events, including a planned farmers’ market and outdoor concert series.
Health officials recommend creating a “clean room” in homes by running portable air purifiers, or improvising by attaching HEPA furnace filters to box fans. Those who must go outside are advised to wear N95 masks, which can filter out the fine particulate matter better than cloth or surgical masks.
According to data from IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, Waterloo Region’s air quality has been worse than notoriously polluted cities like Delhi and Beijing at certain points this week. While those cities face year-round challenges with industrial pollution, our current situation stems from an acute natural disaster amplified by climate change.
For real-time updates, residents can check the provincial Air Quality Health Index or use the WeatherCAN app, which provides hourly forecasts and alerts. Environment Canada predicts some improvement by the weekend as weather patterns shift, potentially bringing cleaner air from the west.
As I finish writing this from my apartment, where towels line the window frames to keep smoke from seeping in, I’m struck by how quickly “normal” can change. Just last week, Waterloo Region was celebrating the start of summer with outdoor festivals and patio dining. Today, we’re checking air quality reports as regularly as weather forecasts and learning to navigate a new environmental reality that feels increasingly uncertain.
