Environment Canada’s air quality health index for the GTA dipped to moderate on Wednesday night with low-risk levels forecast for Thursday.

Canada had some of the worst air quality in North America on Tuesday morning according to waqi.info, the website for the World Air Quality Index project. See how your community ranks.

With various air quality indexes available, and as wildfire smoke becomes an increasing health risk, here’s what often goes into the decision to play sports or not — and how to make sense of air quality indexes when making your own decision.

Wildfires are becoming more common in Canada and that means more smoke and air quality warnings. Here’s what you need to know about air quality to better understand how it could impact your health and outdoor activities.

The poor air quality that has blanketed swaths of central and Western Canada is not only infiltrating the lungs, but also distressing the mind.

The heat warning issued last Friday for the Ottawa-Gatineau region should last until Thursday night, according to Environment Canada. Special air quality statements also linger Tuesday in western Quebec.

Unhealthy air quality is forecast, with periods of Very Unhealthy air quality possible for several hours. Folks should expect to see and smell smoke, and Air Quality Alerts are in effect. Conditions will improve slightly tonight through Sunday.