Ottawa, July 16 (SANA)Toronto recorded the world’s worst air quality among major cities on Wednesday as smoke from Canada’s ongoingwildfiresengulfed the city, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain indoors.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), experts at Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir said dense wildfire smoke, combined with above-average temperatures, drove pollution levels to the highest among major cities worldwide, surpassing those in New Delhi and Kinshasa.

The deterioratingair qualityprompted local authorities to close public swimming pools and cancel summer camps and outdoor recreational activities.

The smoke also spread to Montreal and neighboringU.S.states, where officials warned of reduced visibility and increased health risks.

Since the start of the year, wildfires have burned about 1.9 million hectares across Canada. Although the total remains below the record levels recorded in 2023, more than 800 wildfires remain active across the country.