Conditions predicted to worsen in Toronto

Environment Canada has increased the air quality risk level for Toronto on June 7, up from June 6, as smoky conditions continue to swirl around the city and the smell of burning fills the air.

Environment Canada has increased the air quality risk level for Toronto on June 7, up from June 6, as smoky conditions continue to swirl around the city and the smell of burning fills the air.

The agency issued a special weather alert for the city Wednesday morning, stating that high levels of pollution had developed due to forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario.

Environment Canada is predicting that Toronto will reach a seven on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Wednesday, which measures air quality based on how it will impact health. That number indicates a high risk level during the day, and means people may want to consider cancelling outdoor activities.

"There's a ridge over Ontario right now, so it means these winds are consistently bringing in poor air quality," said Trudy Kidd, an operational metrologist with Environment Canada.