Wildfire smoke blankets Windsor-Essex, prompting air quality warnings and disrupting daily life

Thick wildfire smoke from northern Ontario blanketed Windsor-Essex on Thursday, reducing visibility, prompting air quality warnings, and forcing some organizations to cancel or postpone services as health officials urged residents to limit their exposure.

Thick wildfire smoke from northern Ontario blanketed Windsor-Essex on Thursday, reducing visibility, prompting air quality warnings, and forcing some organizations to cancel or postpone services as health officials urged residents to limit their exposure. Environment Canada issued an air quality warning for much of southern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex, saying smoke carried south by northwesterly winds is expected to linger into at least Friday. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit advised residents — particularly seniors, young children, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions — to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, or chest pain.

The smoke significantly reduced visibility across the Detroit River, drawing Detroit photojournalist Val Waller to Windsor to document the hazy skyline. “It’s wild. I came over to capture it because you can barely see it,” Waller said.

“It’s kind of the ironic point, to take a photo of something that you can’t really see.” Waller said the smoke was also taking a physical toll. “It’s really difficult to breathe,” she said.

“I have a mother that’s asthmatic, and she’s been stuck inside. I thankfully don’t have asthma, so I can kind of get around okay, but even I feel it in my chest.” She said she and her family purchased air purifiers after similar smoke events in recent years and has been especially concerned for her seven-month-old daughter.

“I just feel terrible for anyone that has to work outside here or over there [in Detroit],” she said. On Thursday, Detroit recorded the worst air quality index of any major city in the world, according to global air quality monitoring service IQAir, as smoke from the Canadian wildfires spread across the Great Lakes region. Local pharmacists say people with respiratory conditions should take the warnings seriously.

“There are kind of two groups of people that we’ll see,” said Tim Brady, owner of Brady’s Drug Store in Belle River. “The pre-emptive group knows they always have issues. They’re coming in now to make sure they’re stocked up on their inhalers.”

Brady said others often underestimate the effects of poor air quality until symptoms develop. “If you have issues, for sure be cautious,” he said. “Even if you’re healthy and you’re thinking, ‘I should go for a run,’ it’s probably not the best time.

Maybe just go to the gym instead. We really don’t have to breathe it in.” The poor air quality also prompted changes across the community.

Meals on Wheels Windsor-Essex suspended meal deliveries Thursday because of the smoky conditions, while the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society postponed one of its monthly Helping Paws animal medical outreach clinics. “We just couldn’t risk those people or animals being outside,” said executive director Lynnette Bain. She said the combination of smoke and hot weather can be particularly difficult for dogs.

“It’s a double whammy for dogs because they’re getting the heat and the smoke,” Bain said. “They have to pant to cool themselves, and if they’re panting and breathing in these smoky particulates, that’s not good for them.” Bain encouraged pet owners to keep walks brief, keep animals indoors when possible, and provide plenty of fresh water.

She also urged residents to leave water outside for wildlife during the smoky conditions. Despite the reduced visibility, Windsor International Airport reported only minor disruptions. “We had a couple minor delays today, but everything else is on schedule and on time,” said airport president and CEO Mark Galvin.

Galvin said pilots are trained to operate safely in a range of weather conditions, including reduced visibility, but advised travellers to continue checking with their airline for the latest flight information. Environment Canada says smoke conditions can fluctuate quickly as wind patterns change, and residents are encouraged to monitor local air quality forecasts until conditions improve.