This Canadian Climate Institute fact sheet states that the smoke from wildfires can spread thousands of kilometres, requiring school closures and causing other disruptions while threatening the health of millions of people, particularly children, seniors, and people with heart or lung disease.
Hot-burning wildfires release dangerous levels of particulate matter into the air, which is associated with an increased risk of issues like heart disease, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and brain cancer.
A single week of wildfire smoke in June 2023 was estimated to have cost Ontario over $1.2 billion in health impacts such as premature deaths, increased hospital visits, and health emergencies.
Published By: Canadian Climate Institute
Publication Date: July, 2026
Click here to access Climate Change and Wildfires Fact Sheet
