Health‘I couldn’t breathe’: the deadly health burden of wildfire smoke

Scientists are working to clarify the complicated links between wildfire-smoke exposure and deaths as fire-prone weather becomes more common. In Toronto, about 1,000 kilometres from fires consuming northern Ontario’s boreal forests, soot and ash particles turned the sky an almost post-apocalyptic orange. Erin O’Connor, who leads the emergency department at Toronto General hospital, reported more patients with allergies and shortness of breath. Air filters protected patients inside, but the smell of burning remained overwhelming outdoors and could even be detected indoors.

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TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-08-08 05:00Original