Smog seen in Goderich, Ontario on July 16, 2026 (Fadi Didi)
Health officials in Huron County are warning of the dangers of wildfire smoke in the region.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an orange level air quality warning for Huron and Perth counties this week, with Toronto ranked as having the second-worst air pollution worldwide by IQair.
While poor air quality can affect everyone, officials with Huron Perth Public Health say you can lower your risk of respiratory problems by:
- Monitoring for symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, shortness of breath, dizziness or chest pain and seeking medical attention if needed
- Staying indoors when the AQHI is 7 or greater (high risk) and reducing or stopping strenuous outdoor activities
- Checking on people in your care and those around you who may be more susceptible to air pollution
- Taking a break from the smoke at a location in your community where you can find clean, cool air, such as a library or community centre
- Drinking plenty of water
- Protecting the indoor air in your home by
- Keeping windows and doors closed, and using air conditioning, or fans.
- Properly sealing windows and doors with weather stripping.
- Setting your ventilation system to recirculate when the outdoor air is poor and bring in fresh air when the outdoor air has improved.
- Using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
“If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke,” a news release from HPPH says.
Health officials say the most at-risk groups include:
- People with lung disease (such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or heart disease
- Older adults
- Children
- Pregnant people
- People who work or enjoy recreation outdoors