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Is there a connection between how much land burns in Canada and how many bad air days we get in Toronto?
The more area burned by wildfires in Canada increases, the worse air quality days there will be in cities nearby also increases.
Wildfires produce large amounts of PM2.5, tiny particles that can remain suspended in the atmosphere and be transported hundreds or even thousands of kilometers by wind. During severe wildfire seasons, smoke from fires all across Canada can reach many cities, including Toronto, leading to spikes in PM2.5 concentration and more days with unhealthy air quality. These PM2.5 particles get breathed in by millions of people daily and are a severe health risk not only to the general population, but also people with lung-related diseases such as asthma.