Wildfire Smoke in Northwestern Ontario: Protecting Your Health

As many communities across Northwestern Ontario, including Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, continue to experience wildfire smoke, the North Shore Family Health Team wants to help you stay informed and protect your health.

Even if the smoke doesn't look heavy, it can still affect air quality. Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of breathing problems and other health issues. Current wildfire activity in Northwestern Ontario continues to impact air quality across the region.

Who is most at risk?

While wildfire smoke can affect everyone, some people are more vulnerable, including:

• Older adults

• Infants and young children

• People who are pregnant

• Individuals with asthma, COPD, or other lung diseases

• People with heart disease

• Individuals with weakened immune systems

• People who work or exercise outdoors

Common symptoms of smoke exposure

You may experience:

• Eye, nose, or throat irritation

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Headaches

• Fatigue

If you have asthma or another chronic lung condition, wildfire smoke may worsen your symptoms or trigger an exacerbation.

How to Protect Yourself

Stay informed

Check your local weather forecast, Air Quality Health Index, and wildfire smoke advisories regularly before planning outdoor activities.

Helpful resources include:

• Environment and Climate Change Canada – Air Quality Health Index

  • Thunder Bay: https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/onaq-042_e.html

• Environment Canada Wildfire Smoke Forecast Maps

• https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

Limit outdoor exposure

When smoke levels are high:

• Spend as much time indoors as possible.

• Reduce strenuous outdoor exercise.

• Reschedule outdoor sports, yard work, or recreational activities if air quality is poor.

• If you must be outdoors, keep activities short.

Keep indoor air cleaner

• Keep windows and doors closed when smoke is heavy.

• Use air conditioning if available and set it to recirculate indoor air.

• Avoid activities that create additional indoor pollution, such as burning candles, using wood stoves, or smoking indoors.

If your home becomes too warm, remember that staying cool is also important. During extreme heat, seek air-conditioned public spaces if they are available.

Manage existing health conditions

If you have asthma, COPD, or heart disease:

• Continue taking your prescribed medications.

• Keep rescue inhalers with you.

• Follow your asthma or COPD action plan.

• Ensure you have an adequate supply of medications.

When should you seek medical care?

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Increasing shortness of breath

• Persistent coughing

• Chest tightness

• Wheezing that is not relieved by your usual medications

• Symptoms that are worsening despite staying indoors

Looking after your mental health

Wildfires and prolonged smoky conditions can also affect emotional well-being. Feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed during wildfire season is understandable.

Consider:

• Limiting exposure to distressing news if it becomes overwhelming.

• Staying connected with family, friends, and neighbours.

• Maintaining regular routines when possible.

• Reaching out for support if stress begins affecting your daily life.

We're here to help

The North Shore Family Health Team encourages everyone to take wildfire smoke seriously and to take simple steps to reduce exposure when air quality is poor. Small actions can make a meaningful difference in protecting your health. Continue to monitor local public health advisories and air quality updates, especially as wildfire conditions can change quickly.