Smoke from out west bringing otherworldly red sun to Toronto skies
Dramatic red sunsets and smoke-filled hazy skies continue to loom over Toronto, as dozens of wildfires continue to rage across the Prairies and force thousands of people out of their homes.
As of Monday evening, there are around 90 active wildfires burning in Alberta, 23 of which are classified as "out of control." There are also further wildfires in northeastern B.C., Saskatchewan, and the N.W.T.
In addition to #smoke affecting air quality, the hazy skies caused by smoke can reduce daytime high temperatures and cause the sun to appear orange or red, as seen on this @navcanada webcam at Pikangikum from earlier today.#ONwx pic.twitter.com/bMZK77Z4Np
— ECCC Weather Ontario (@ECCCWeatherON) May 15, 2023
Although the effects of the wildfires are far less destructive in Toronto, the Weather Network warned residents in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes that we'll notice "smoke-filled skies" and a red-tinted sun in the coming days.
As common with any weather phenomenon, southern Ontario residents quickly took to social media to upload images of the menacing red-hued sun that hovered over the region.
The smoke from the wildfires across the Prairies is back in S #Ontario!
— WxOntario (@WxOntario1) May 16, 2023
Expect a warm and hazy day before the showers move in (E Ont ), the rest of S Ont should remain rain free.#OnWX pic.twitter.com/lIPJAz3sqk
"The amount of smoke produced by the intense fires will make for more than just some photogenic sunsets, potentially leading to health problems for vulnerable people as we progress through this week," an article by the Weather Network reads.
Smoke from forest fires 🔥 out west is expected to move back into Ontario over the next few days as shown in the loop below.
— ECCC Weather Ontario (@ECCCWeatherON) May 14, 2023
The smoke is expected to remain aloft, but we will likely see hazy skies with muted sunshine.#ONwx pic.twitter.com/lJ4TXRUGb0
Satellite imagery on Monday evening shows a thick blanket of smoke looming over Ontario, but a strong jet stream over the northern half of the country is expected to transport the majority of the smoke toward the eastern provinces.
Extra hazy sunset this evening in Ontario from the Alberta wildfires smoke. The haze made it possible to pick out some sun spots on the sun's surface.#ShareYourWeather #Sunset #Nature #photography @StormHour @weathernetwork @caleybedore pic.twitter.com/26k5dxg756
— Chris Knox Photography (@ChrisKnoxPhotog) May 15, 2023
A special air quality statement was issued for portions of far northwestern Ontario on Monday, and was eventually expanded to the south to include more regions.
A blood orange sun this morning from Milton GO. Must be the wildfire smoke from Alberta still passing over 🔥 💨 pic.twitter.com/sUxIxGujO4
— Peter Muscat (@Peter_Muscat) May 16, 2023
Despite the region's hazy skies, Toronto's air quality hovers between "low risk" and "moderate risk" from Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Smokey Sunset from Ontario 🌅 #ShareYourWeather @weathernetwork @jwhittalTWN @StormhunterTWN #Wildfire pic.twitter.com/smkoFtmOld
— Lindsey (@redtailsunset) May 16, 2023
Although Alberta is no stranger when it comes to wildfires, unusually high temperatures and an exceptionally dry start to the year have jumpstarted wildfires at "a horrifying pace."
Smoke will likely be even thicker over southern Ontario tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/zJuNjxrS7x
— Anthony Farnell (@AnthonyFarnell) May 16, 2023
"We are not out of the woods. I don't believe the worst is behind us. We need to be prepared and ensure our resources are best placed where that fire danger is going to be most extreme," Alberta Wildfire information unit manager Christie Tucker said.
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