Wildfire smoke air quality statement issued for Waterloo region, Guelph and area
Listowel, Mount Forest, Arthur also among those warned about deteriorating air quality
Smoke from wildfires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec will be seen in parts of southern Ontario Tuesday and Wednesday, Environment Canada says.
A special air quality statement was issued Tuesday morning for northern Wellington County, including Mount Forest and Arthur, and northern Perth County, including Listowel and Milverton.
Waterloo region and Guelph were added Tuesday afternoon. The forecast called for widespread smoke on Wednesday in the area.
"We are expecting the smoke to make its way down toward southern Ontario through the afternoon today and then it will continue expanding eastward across southern and eastern Ontario throughout tomorrow afternoon," Steven Flisfeder, a warning prepardeness meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC News.
He said it's hard to know yet just how bad the smoke could get.
"There are a few things that are helping the situation this time compared to last time," he said. "We have a lot more moisture in the air this time around which will help to reduce the extent of those contaminants making their way to the service. That being said, it will still be an irritation to the general public and especially to those who already have existing health conditions."
Conditions are expected to improve on Thursday. That's because the winds will shift from moving the smoke south to more easterly, Flisfeder said.
"Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," the statement said.
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