Smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario has led to ongoing cancellations of some city services, such as garbage collection and outdoor pools in Hamilton and the Niagara region.
As of Friday at noon, the air quality in Hamilton, Burlington, and Brantford was rated 10+ on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which means “very high risk.”
The rating for St. Catharines has decreased to a 9 from a 10+ since yesterday.
The AQHI forecasts better conditions and a rating of 6 across regions by Saturday night.
On Friday, the City of Hamilton released an update on its website outlining which services have been affected.
“These decisions have been made out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of residents and staff,” the city said in a release explaining the closures.
In an email to CBC, city officials mentioned they are still keeping an eye on the AQHI.
“Given the unpredictable nature of forest fires in Northern Ontario and the resulting smoke, decisions regarding outdoor programs and services are based on the most current information available and are made as conditions warrant,” said the email.
“Decisions regarding weekend programming and services will be made closer to and over the weekend based on the latest air quality and local conditions.”
Closures, cancellations across the region
Hamilton
Waste collection is cancelled for another day in Hamilton. The city will not collect garbage, green bin or yard waste in Wards 4, 5, 12, and 13 on Friday.
Residents can either drop off their waste at one of the city’s three community recycling centres for free on Friday or Saturday or keep it curbside until next week for disposal.
Next Friday, July 24, residents will be allowed to put out up to three garbage bags or containers to help manage any buildup.
The city has also confirmed that these outdoor programs and locations have been closed today due to air quality:
Supie programs. Wading pools and outdoor pools. Pier 8 boat tours and trolley tours. Wild Waterworks.
Camp Kidaca will shift its programming primarily indoors, while Free Fitness at the Park will also move inside.
Golf courses remain open but Junior Golf Camp is cancelled.
Camp Chippewa at Christie Lake Conservation Area is closed.
Hamilton Fringe Fest began on July 15 and runs until July 26; however several events were cancelled for Friday.
<As of 3 p. m., those cancellations include: Common Threads – Community Cross-Stitch with Open Heart Arts Theatre; Live Music with The Tune In Foundation; Foodie Fringe; and Fringe On The Streets Outdoor Walking Tour.
<The Everything Is Fine – A Night of Comedy at Magnolia Hall along with A Drag Crash Course in The Stage with Karma Kameleon events scheduled for Friday evening have been moved indoors.
The festival suggests checking its social media pages for further updates about weekend events.
St. Catharines
Following closures yesterday , St. Catharines will reopen outdoor sports fields as well as pools today.
City programs will resume as scheduled beginning at3pm. This includes Lakeside Park Carousel , swim lessons offered bythe city , along with outdoor recreation programs plus events under permitsfor outdoor spaces.
Welland p>
The Cityof Welland announced via Facebook that all outdoor recreation activities are cancelled today including public swimming plus rentalsat The Docksand Empire Sportplex.
Niagara Falls p >
The Cityof Niagara Falls confirmedontheirwebsite that multipleoutdoor poolswill close for public use.
Thisincludes Niagara Falls Lions Pooland Buck Hinsperger Pool, both outdoors. However , swimming lessons atthe Lions Poolwill still beofferedas usualtoday.
Courses scheduledfor Prince Charles Poolwill bemovedto Mac Bain Community Centre.
Niagara Parks ’ nightlyfireworks programhasalso beenpaused.
Burlington p>
The Cityof Burlingtonhascloseditsoutdoor poolsalongwithrecreationprograms.
If individualsorgroups haverentedcityfacilities affectedbytheseclosures, theycancancelorreschedulewithout penalty.
Brantford
Brantfordhascloseditspublicpoolsonceagainon Friday , including Woodman Pooland Earl Haig Family Fun Park. Bothlocationswillremaincloseduntilatleast12pm tomorrow.
Fort Erie
(( Townof Fort Erie )
P>( Port Colborne )Port Colborne has issueda total firebanincludingbonfiresandfire pitsaccordingto town’swebsite. The Community Concertserieshasbeenrescheduledto August26. p>
( Lincoln )The Townof Lincolnwillalsokeepitstwooldpooolscloseduntilairqualityconditionsimprove. p>
(Niagara-on-the-Lake)Niagara-on-the-Lake’spublic poolis closedtoday, and Playinthelibraryisnowbeingheldindoorsatthepubliclibrary. Inaddition, thetownhasbannedburningincludingcookingfiresandfireworks. p>
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