Wildfire smoke keeps London under air quality warning as Rock the Park ends early

Wildfire smoke keeps London under air quality warning as Rock the Park ends early

Wildfire smoke keeps London under high-risk air quality warning for 2nd day

Wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario continues to blanket the London area for a second day. The conditions prompted organizers to end Wednesday night's Rock the Park concert early, and the City of London to suspend outdoor recreation programs.

Environment Canada issued an orange-level air quality warning Thursday morning, saying wildfire smoke is creating poor air quality and reduced visibility across London, Parkhill and eastern Middlesex County.

Heat, wildfire smoke combine to create dangerous conditions across southwestern Ontario

As of early Thursday morning, Air Quality Ontario rated London's Air Quality Health Index at 10+, or very high risk, with conditions expected to improve only slightly, to a high-risk level later in the day.

"During heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status," Environment Canada said.

The agency is urging people to limit time outdoors, postpone outdoor sports and events and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

Rock the Park shut down before headliners

The smoky conditions first moved into southwestern Ontario on Wednesday morning as a multi-day heat warning remained in effect.

By Wednesday evening, organizers of Rock the Park announced they were ending the night's concert early after the City of London advised outdoor activities be cancelled because of deteriorating air quality.

The Lumineers were set to headline the first day of the four-day music festival at Harris Park.

"As the impact and risk from the nearby forest fires and increasing smoke conditions continue to rise, both our team and The Lumineers have made the difficult decision to conclude the festival following Dylan Gossett's performance," the festival organizers posted on social media.

Rock the Park said the safety of everyone is their highest priority, and concert goers would be contacted directly about their tickets.

It is not clear whether the concert will continue on Thursday.

Outdoor programs and spaces cancelled

Meanwhile, the city has closed outdoor recreation programs, sports amenities and facilities until further notice.

Cancelled program, activities, and facilities include:

The city said those impacted by the cancellations would be contacted directly.

City of London community centres remain open and are available to provide indoor relief for Londoners. Locations and hours of operation can be found here.

The London Fire Department also urged residents not to call 911 simply because of the smoky conditions after receiving numerous reports from people wondering whether a fire had broken out in the city.

"It did move in quite quickly, so I think it caught people by surprise," said platoon chief Colin Shewell.

"If you see smoke and flame and are truly concerned, definitely call 911. But maybe put a few extra seconds to make sure what you're calling about, instead of generic information that there's smoke in the area, and you're not sure where it's coming from."

No filter. We have received quite a few calls asking if there is a fire in London. Please do not call 911 about air quality. This is air quality 🟠 outside 400 Horton St right now. Please follow the news, the @MLHealthUnit the @weathernetwork for air quality updates. Thank you.… pic.twitter.com/RHlazfA1hZ

Heat and smoke together increase health risks

Dr. Anna Gunz, an emergency physician at London Health Sciences Centre and an expert on climate-related health, said wildfire smoke and extreme heat together place extra stress on the body's heart, lungs and brain.

"When we have extreme heat, we know that the air quality will get worse," she said.

"Both of them together can worsen the health effects that we experience."

Gunz said children, older adults, pregnant people, people with asthma or other lung disease and those with heart conditions face the greatest risks.

She recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor activity, using high-quality furnace filters or portable HEPA air cleaners when possible, and seeking air-conditioned public spaces if homes become too hot.

For people without air conditioning, she acknowledged the difficult balance between staying cool and keeping smoke out of their homes.

"It becomes a trade-off," she said

Thursday's high is expected to reach only 28 C, with a 30 per cent chance of showers.

Environment Canada is forecasting the smoke will disperse by noon on Friday.

With files from Alessio Donnini