‘Worrisome’ conditions due to wildfire smoke and heat force camps, daycares to adjust

Tourists pose for a photo against city view of Toronto on Monday July 14, 2025. The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or "very high risk," from wildfire smoke on Monday morning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Summer camps and daycares are being forced to shift their plans amid stifling heat and poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke drifting across Central Canada, Prairies and other parts of the country.

Special air quality statements or warnings are in effect for a second day across several provinces and territories, combined with heat warnings that stretch from Ontario to Prince Edward Island.

The Ontario Camps Association says adjustments to weather conditions include limiting outdoor activities or scrapping them entirely, moving programs indoors, or shifting schedules based on local air quality.

Meanwhile, the executive director of Treetop Children’s Centre in Toronto says the extreme conditions “pose real challenges” for her daycare, which operates out of Oriole Park Junior Public School.

Amy O’Neil says the daycare centre spent thousands of dollars to install several air-conditioning units and children were kept inside with the windows closed and AC on full blast Monday while Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index rating was over 10, or “very high risk.”

But even as Toronto’s air quality improved to a “moderate risk” today, O’Neil says there is “no consensus or consistent direction” from public health authorities on whether it’s safe for kids to be outside.

“We’re kind of being left to our own devices, which is a bit worrisome,” she said in an interview.

With limited air ventilation inside the school building, she said staying inside all day with the windows closed also poses risks, even with air conditioning and air filters running.

“You can actually feel and smell the smoke inside the school,” she said. “You can’t actually get away from it.”

Toronto Public Health says on its website that it encourages everyone to follow the Air Quality Health Index for up-to-date air quality reports.

The AQHI and related warnings from Environment Canada offer guidance on outdoor activities and how people can protect their health from air pollution and wildfire smoke, although the weather agency says conditions can change from hour to hour, depending on wind direction and other factors.

The City of Toronto said all of its camps have extreme weather protocols, which include more indoor time when necessary.

“All City CampTO locations have access to indoor and cool spaces in the event of extreme weather,” the city said in a statement Tuesday.

“Staff make program adjustments based on the daily weather, which can include more indoor play and water-based activities. Some off-site trips may be postponed, if they take place outdoors or require long transit times.”

The Ontario Camps Association, which oversees camps and education centres across the province, also said Tuesday that it sent out a reminder at the beginning of the summer about the importance of monitoring air quality alerts and following guidance and updates from public health units, fire services and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“When needed, camps will adjust their programming in response to air quality conditions. This may include limiting outdoor activities partially or entirely, depending on the site, moving programs indoors, or shifting schedules based on local air quality,” said Joy Levy, executive director.

“Every camp is different, and some will have more indoor space than others but across the board, the health and safety of campers and staff always comes first.”

The air quality index was also listed as poor in much of southern Quebec on Tuesday, with vulnerable people such as young children, seniors and people with respiratory or cardiac issues deemed particularly at risk. The poor air quality stretched from Gatineau in western Quebec through Montreal, past Quebec City and all the way to Rivière-du-Loup, east of the capital.

Environment Canada says residents in areas with smoke warnings or advisories should consider limiting time outside and be mindful of smoke exposure symptoms.

If there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool, the weather agency said.

By Natasha Baldin and Vanessa Tiberio, with files from Sidhartha Banerjee in Montreal

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.