This is what Toronto looks like as wildfire smoke envelops the city
The wildfire smoke from northern Ontario is billowing across the province, deteriorating the air quality and wiping a sepia-toned filter against the skies. These photos show the scenes of what Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area look like on July 15, 2026, when the air quality health index reached maximum risk conditions.
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A woman bikes along the waterfront in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
Early morning stroller walks their dog as they take in the sunrise in Toronto, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
On the morning of July 15, IQAir determined Toronto had the worst air quality in the world. Environment Canada issued an air quality warning for the city as a result. Here is a closer look at the orange haze that has enveloped Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
A family walks on the waterfront in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
Scarborough Bluffs Beach on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Scarborough Bluffs Beach on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Scarborough Bluffs Beach on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
The sun is hazy with smoke in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
People walk on the waterfront in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
A man in a mask works on his sailboat in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
One reader from Brampton says the city "looks like a scene out of Bladerunner 2049." (Steven Reynolds)
The moon appeared fluroescent red at around 6 a.m. in Milton, Ont. on July 15, 2026. (Akbar Shaikh)
A person in a face mask boards a streetcar in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
A woman wearing a mask crosses the street in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
Environment Canada says the poor air quality may continue into Thursday in some areas, urging Ontarians to limit their time outdoors as smoke levels rise.
A plane lands at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as wildfire smoke fills Toronto, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
A cyclist wears a mask as wildfire smoke fills Toronto, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor
Hazy skies drape over Peterborough on Wednesday as a result of the ongoing forest fires in northern Ontario.
What the skies looked like at around 11:15 a.m. in Milton, Ont. on July 15, 2026. (Nazia Masroor)
The sky appears to be a harsh pastel pink at around 1 p.m. in Toronto. At this hour, Environment Canada has Toronto with an AQHI of 10+.
Wildfire smoke settles over Windsor, July 15, 2026 (CTV News Windsor)
Hazy skies at Saugeen Beach due to wildfire smoke on July 15, 2026. (Jeff Pagett/CTV News)
Hazy skies at Saugeen Beach due to wildfire smoke on July 15, 2026. (Jeff Pagett/CTV News)
Wildfire smoke surrounds The Aud in Kitchener on July 15, 2026. (Rowen Fisler/CTV News)
Wildfire smoke surrounds The Aud in Kitchener on July 15, 2026. (Rowen Fisler/CTV News)
Wildfire smoke surrounds The Aud in Kitchener on July 15, 2026. (Rowen Fisler/CTV News)
Wildfire smoke from northern Ontario was to blame for hazy skies in Waterloo on July 15, 2026. (Tony Grace/CTV News)
Wildfire smoke from northern Ontario was to blame for hazy skies in Waterloo on July 15, 2026. (Tony Grace/CTV News)
Wildfire smoke caused the sky to turn orange in Waterloo Region on July 15, 2026. (Rowen Fisler/CTV News)
A haze settled over Waterloo Region, following wildfires in northern Ontario, on July 15, 2026. (Courtesy: Raza Naqvi)
