Toronto air quality ranked worst globally due to wildfires

Toronto's air quality ranked the worst among major cities globally Wednesday.

This as wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario blackened skies and spread

into the northeastern United States

prompting health warnings and calls for residents to limit outdoor activities.

Toronto's smoky skyline Wednesday.

Smoke from wildfires blanketed the city creating

hazy skies and prompting health concerns as residents

faced poor air quality.

Howard Shapiro, Director & Associate Medical Officer of Health

"This is kind of like the earth smoking a cigarette

and we're getting the secondhand smoke from it."

Unperturbed people were seen spending time outdoors

in parks while others wore masks amid the smoky conditions.

Shapiro said

"Those particles are going to contain a whole sort of soup

of different chemicals and compounds.'

Environment Canada reported an Air Quality Health Index

reading of 10+, classified as very high risk for Toronto,

while forecasts suggest hazardous conditions

could persist through Thursday night.

Meanwhile Ontario Provisional Police say wildfires

are affecting railway operations near Armstrong, Ontario.

Footage of a Canadian train crew surrounded by thick flames

was posted to social media by Ontario Parliament member Sol Mamakwa.

He said the crew members are safe.

Officials said shortly before 6:00 p.m ET Monday,

three trains carrying combustible and flammable materials

were stopped about 32 kilometres from Armstrong.

More than 100 wildfires are currently burning in Canada,

with winds carrying the smoke southeast.