Canadians react to the 'devastating' wildfires across northwestern Ontario and other parts of the country: 'Genuinely terrifying'

Some people across Canada and the U.S. are also sharing footage of the blood-red sun as wildfire smoke blankets their cities and towns.

Wildfires are raging across parts of Canada, leaving many people across the continent shocked at the intense blazes that have led to hazy smoke and a blood-red sun peeking through the sky. Across social media, people have been sharing photos and videos of the severe conditions in their cities. Many clips and snapshots have shown the sun turn into a deep red colour in Canada and the United States.

As of Wednesday morning, Toronto was the worst place in the world for air quality conditions. According to IQAir, the city was ranked the most polluted place, even ahead of major cities globally like Kinshasa, Delhi and Dubai. Federal data shows similar conditions.

The Air Quality Health Index gave Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and other parts of southern Ontario orange-level warnings; the alerts indicated that wildfires in northwestern Ontario are causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility. The warnings come as much of Ontario faces a yellow heat warning alert.

The federal government's weather alert map shows the yellow warning extends across southern Ontario and into the Ottawa area, along with the western parts of the province. Footage of wildfires in northern Ontario have also been surfacing on social media. On Tuesday, MPP Sol Mamakwa posted a video of CN freight train crew being surrounded by blazes this week.

"What we are witnessing right now in northern Ontario is devastating," Mamakwa wrote in his caption on TikTok. "This is near Armstrong, Ontario. When will the Canadian National Railway Company make a statement about this incident?"

Social media users shared their thoughts on the clip, expressing fear and sympathy for the workers. "This video was taken by my brother's friend. It was genuinely terrifying to watch," a TikTok user shared.

"'This is a little bit scary,'" an Instagram user wrote, quoting the man in the video. "Literally surrounded by a wildfire. That's terrifying."

On Wednesday morning, the company shared a statement on the clip, noting it was aware of the video and that the staff members were safe. It noted that operations near Armstrong, Ont., have been "temporarily suspended" and that people were evacuated on Monday evening. Other people on social media also shared photos and videos of the wildfires in their hometowns.

A photographer named Nadya Kwandibens took to Instagram to share images of the wildfire north of Thunder Bay. "My family hometown, Collins, Ont., is GONE," Kwandibens penned online. "Awaiting an update as to where to send more help!"

Another Ontarian named Lyndon Tyler also shared a clip from a boat, showing a fire raging in the forest and the smoke enveloping the sky. "Can't believe this happened. I watched my home burn," Tyler wrote in the caption.

"Although happy we got everyone out at the last minute... Haven't slept yet." Amid the wildfires, some social media users showed how their cities were tinted orange due to the wildfire smoke. Many warned people to avoid spending time outdoors.

Last week, Public Safety Canada gave an update on the country's wildfire season, which typically lasts until October. According to weather forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada, above-average temperatures are expected across much of Canada from July through August. This season, more than 3,400 fires have occurred so far, and more than 1.9 million hectares have burned, the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System shows.

Currently, there are more than 800 active wildfires in the country, dozens of which are considered out of control.