‘Widespread smoke’ to hang over Ottawa Saturday night and Sunday ahead of Ironman race

CTV's Kimberley Fowler shares the full local 6 p.m. forecast for Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Wildfire smoke is expected to linger over Ottawa tonight and on Sunday, as 2,000 people take part in the first Ironman in the capital and the Canadian Track and Field Championships continue.

• Here’s what you need to know about the Ironman Canada-Ottawa event on Sunday

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Ottawa, warning “smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.”

“Smoke from forest fires is expected to continue to affect much of southern Ontario tonight,” the weather agency said in a statement Saturday evening.

“The wildfire smoke may persist for much of the weekend for parts of southern Ontario.”

The air quality health index was “5-moderate risk” at 6 p.m. It’s expected to be “7-high risk” tonight and a “7-high risk” on Sunday.

Organizers for the Ironman Canada-Ottawa race on Sunday told CTV News Ottawa that it’s currently “all systems go” for the event.

“We are monitoring things,” David Holm, race director of Ironman Canada-Ottawa, told CTV News Saturday morning.

“We have contingency places, but, at this time, at this stage right now it’s all systems go - 100 per cent full force.”

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, The Ironman Group says race officials and local public safety officials are continuing to monitor the latest developments related to the air quality.

“Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario is forecasting that the air quality for tomorrow may enter moderate risk conditions, according to Ottawa’s Air Quality Health Index,” officials said Saturday evening.

“At this time, Ironman officials are moving forward with plans to conduct Sunday’s event in its original intended format, based upon current weather and smoke forecasts provided by public safety officials. Should any event modifications become necessary, it will be communicated in transition, through the Ironman tracker app, and on the event Facebook page.”

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for “widespread smoke” tonight. Low 15 C.

It’s expected to be sunny on Sunday, but the weather agency warns there will be “widespread smoke.” High 30 C with the humidex making it feel like 33.

Monday will be sunny. High 29 C.

The outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday calls for a mix of sun and cloud both days. A high of 29 C on Tuesday and 30 C on Wednesday.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 26 C and a low of 16 C.