Wildfires in Ontario have caused Toronto's air quality to become the worst in the world, with smoke affecting cities across the northeast US. Environment Canada issued health warnings as the sky turned yellow, and the city experienced a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 37.3C and runways at the main international airport hitting 55C. The wildfires have prompted mandatory evacuations from several First Nations communities, with residents fleeing by boat. The speed and ferocity of the fires were captured in striking video footage, and the railway company Canadian National confirmed the safe evacuation of a crew member. Families were seen fleeing their homes by boat, and residents of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation had only minutes' warning before fleeing across Collins Lake. The disaster has led to the destruction of an entire First Nation community, and the provincial representative for the region expressed gratitude that everyone got out safely. The fires are part of a natural cycle, but extreme temperatures and growing severity of weather events are indicators of climate change, according to the provincial representative. Air quality alerts have been issued across large parts of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and thicker smoke is forecast to move over New York, Washington, and other cities across the eastern seaboard later in the week.
