Wildfires burning in Ontario have blanketed cities across the US and Canada with dangerous smoke, sending Toronto, New York and Washington to the top of a list of the most polluted cities, according to the BBC.
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Key facts
- Wildfires are burning in Ontario, Canada.
- Smoke has blanketed cities across the US and Canada, according to the BBC.
- Toronto, New York and Washington top the list of most polluted cities.
- The BBC reports the smoke is at dangerous levels.
Wildfires burning in Ontario have blanketed cities across the United States and Canada with dangerous smoke, according to the BBC. The pollution has pushed Toronto, New York and Washington to the top of a list of the most polluted cities.
Toronto, in Canada, tops the ranking alongside the US cities of New York and Washington, the BBC reports.
The BBC describes the smoke as dangerous, reflecting the health risks that wildfire smoke can pose to residents in affected areas.
Further details on the scale of the fires, the extent of the smoke’s spread and specific health guidance were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Wildfire smoke can cross borders and affect air quality in major cities far from the fires themselves. With Toronto, New York and Washington topping pollution rankings, residents in those cities may face health risks from the dangerous air the BBC describes.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities are the most polluted?
According to the BBC, Toronto, New York and Washington top the list of the most polluted cities as a result of the wildfire smoke.
What is causing the pollution?
The BBC reports that wildfires burning in Ontario, Canada, have blanketed US and Canadian cities with dangerous smoke.
How far has the smoke spread?
The smoke from the Ontario fires has spread across cities in both the US and Canada, reaching major cities including New York and Washington in the United States.
Timeline
- Toronto, New York and Washington top list of most polluted cities as wildfires burn
BBC Science: Wildfires in Ontario have blanketed US and Canadian cities with dangerous smoke.