Clarington, ON Live Wildfire Smoke Map
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The moment a wildfire starts near you, you'll get an instant alert and simple tips to reduce your smoke exposure.
What's In The Smoke
30xSmaller than a human hair
Fine enough to reach deep into the lungs. A MERV 13 is built to capture it.
How Far It Travels
It Doesn't Stay Local
Smoke rides the wind far downwind — you can get smoky air with no fire nearby.
What To Do During A Smoke Event
Simple steps to reduce indoor exposure.
- Stay In, Close UpShut windows and doors to keep smoke out.
- Set Fan To "On"Keeps air cycling through your filter, not just when heating or cooling.
- Recirculate AirSwitch off fresh-air intake so you're not pulling smoke in.
- Run A MERV 13Built to capture the fine PM2.5 in smoke.
- Add A PurifierExtra filtration for the room you use most.
- Wear an N95 if OutsideFits snug to block fine particles — a cloth mask won't.
The Best Air Filter For Wildfire Smoke
During smoke events, the EPA recommends upgrading to a MERV 13 filter — or the highest-rated filter your system can handle — to help reduce the fine particles smoke brings indoors. MERV 13 is the level most home HVAC systems can run while still capturing PM2.5, the fine particulate that makes up the bulk of wildfire smoke.
- Captures PM2.5 particles
- Blocks ash, soot, and smoke odor
- Keeps your indoor air safe—even when the outdoor air is dangerous
- Meets the EPA's recommended rating for filtering fine wildfire smoke particles.
Wildfire Smoke FAQs
Facts About Wildfires
Over 70,000 wildfires burn in the U.S. every year.
Wildfire smoke can travel 1,000+ miles, affecting states that aren't even near the blaze.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen asthma, trigger heart issues, and lead to ER visits.
Indoor air can hold more fine particles during wildfire events unless it's properly filtered.
The EPA advises using MERV 13 filters or portable HEPA air cleaners during wildfire smoke events.
Don't Wait Until The Smoke's Inside.
Use the live wildfire smoke tracker and upgrade your air filters today to protect your lungs and your home.
Shop Filters For Smoke Protection
Live Clarington, ON Forest Wildfire & Smoke Map Today: Local Air Quality Tracking & Indoor Protection Solutions
Start with the live map at the top of this page and zoom in on your neighbourhood. Below, Filterbuy explains what to do at home.
TL;DR
Clarington's smoke usually comes from wildfires hundreds of kilometres away. Check the live map for smoke and the Oshawa AQHI for risk. When the map's AQI reaches 100, Filterbuy recommends four steps: MERV 13 in the furnace, thermostat fan set to On, a portable HEPA air cleaner in each occupied room, and the house closed up.
Key Takeaways
• Most smoke over Clarington comes from distant fires.
• Clarington is outside Ontario's provincial fire region, so a smoke map is usually more useful here than a fire map.
• Environment Canada rates an AQHI of 7–10 as High Risk and above 10 as Very High Risk.
• MERV 13 is Filterbuy's tier for wildfire smoke. EPA recommends MERV 13 or higher during smoke events.
Filterbuy's Take: The Three-Signal Check for Smoke Days
A fire map answers only part of the question. As an air filter manufacturer, Filterbuy checks three signals in order:
1. Where is the smoke? The live map shows the source and where the plume is drifting.
2. How risky is the air? The Oshawa AQHI turns smoke into a health-risk number.
3. What can I control? Your windows, furnace filter, and air cleaners.
"When I planned this page, I kept asking one question: if you live in Bowmanville or Courtice, what do you actually do on a hazy morning? The map tells you where the smoke is. The AQHI tells you how bad it is. The part you control is inside your home." (Michelle Wan, Filterbuy)
How to Read the Live Fire and Smoke Map for Clarington, ON Today
The map layers active fires and smoke plumes over local air quality readings.
1. Zoom to Clarington, along Lake Ontario east of Oshawa.
2. Look for fire markers. Nearby markers are usually small grass or brush fires.
3. Check the smoke layer. Shading over Durham Region means haze is likely.
4. Read the air quality value and confirm it on the Environment Canada AQHI page for Oshawa, the closest official station.
What the AQHI Numbers Mean, and When to Act
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is Canada's official 1–10+ scale for outdoor air health risk, run by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Health Canada, and Ontario (source).
Table 1: AQHI risk levels compared
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Air Quality Health Index (Oshawa station, the closest official station to Clarington). Actions are Filterbuy recommendations.
Filterbuy's action line: Act when the AQI on the live map reaches 100, the top of the Moderate range, or when the Oshawa AQHI is in the Moderate range with smoke on the map. At that point, put a MERV 13 filter in your furnace, set the thermostat fan to On, run a portable HEPA air cleaner in each occupied room (bedrooms first), and close up the house. The AQI 100 trigger is our own house rule. Separately, EPA recommends a MERV 13 or higher filter during smoke events (EPA).
Official Maps to Cross-Check
• Ontario Forest Fires interactive map: active fires in Ontario's fire region.
• FireSmoke Canada: smoke drift forecasts.
• Environment Canada AQHI for Oshawa: official current and forecast air quality.
Is There a Forest Fire in Clarington, ON? Where Local Smoke Comes From
Large forest fires inside Clarington are uncommon. Most smoke here travels from fires in northern Ontario, Quebec, and the Prairies. Clarington is south of the French and Mattawa rivers, outside Ontario's provincial fire region.
• To report a fire in Clarington, call 911. The northern 310-FIRE line does not cover this area (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources).
• Local fires are handled by Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, which can issue burn bans.
Recent Smoke Event in Clarington
• 15 July 2026: Smoke from northwestern Ontario prompted a Clarington-wide burn ban and cancelled outdoor programs (Municipality of Clarington; inSauga).
Who Should Take Extra Care
Environment Canada advises older adults, pregnant people, children, people with chronic conditions, and outdoor workers to avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoke (Global News). For health advice, talk to your care provider or dial 811.
How to Protect Indoor Air in Your Clarington Home
Follow Environment Canada and Durham Region Health Department advice first. These four Filterbuy steps add to it. They reduce smoke particles indoors; they cannot remove smoke completely.
1. Put MERV 13 in your furnace. It's the whole-home layer.
2. Set the thermostat fan to On. On "Auto," the system only filters while heating or cooling. On "On," it filters all the time.
3. Run a portable HEPA air cleaner in each occupied room, bedrooms first. It works alongside MERV 13.
4. Close up the house. Shut windows and doors, turn down any heat or energy recovery ventilator (HRV or ERV), and skip candles, frying, smoking, and vacuuming without a HEPA vacuum.
Why MERV 13 for Smoke
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and PM2.5, tiny particles you can't see. A pleated filter captures particles; it does not remove gases or odours. EPA notes that high-efficiency mechanical filters trap smoke particles (EPA). Filterbuy filter media is colour-coded, so a blue MERV 13 filter is easy to spot.
Table 2: Filterbuy filter ratings compared for smoke season
Pleated filters capture particles, not gases. Order MERV 13 in the size printed on your current filter.
Will MERV 13 Fit My Furnace?
MERV 13 uses the same slot as the pleated filter you have now. Match the size printed on your old filter and make sure the new one sits snugly; EPA notes a snug fit stops air from leaking around the filter (EPA).
"Pull your current filter and read the size on the frame. Slide the new MERV 13 in with the airflow arrow pointing toward the furnace, and check that it sits snugly with no gaps. During smoke, look at it often." (David Clark, Licensed HVAC Technician)
When to Replace Your Filter During Smoke
Check it during the smoke event, not on your usual schedule. Replace it when it looks dirty, dark brown or black, which can be well before the normal interval. EPA advises keeping extra filters on hand during heavy smoke (EPA).
Choosing a Portable Air Cleaner
• Size it to the room. EPA advises a smoke clean air delivery rate (CADR) of at least two-thirds of the room's area in square feet. A 28 m² (300 sq ft) bedroom needs a smoke CADR of about 200 (EPA).
• Skip ionizers and ozone generators. EPA does not recommend electronic air cleaners for smoke because they may produce ozone.
• Box-fan option: EPA research found DIY box-fan cleaners with MERV 13 filters reduce smoke particles. Use a fan made in 2012 or later with a UL or ETL mark, and don't leave it running unattended. Treat it as a stopgap until you can get a certified air cleaner.
No Central Furnace, or Renting?
In apartments, homes with window air conditioners, or homes without ducts, portable HEPA air cleaners are your main defence.
• Renters with a furnace: ask your landlord to install MERV 13 and give them the size.
Hot and Smoky? Don't Overheat
Summer smoke often comes with heat. The BC Centre for Disease Control notes that for most people, heat stress is a bigger health risk than smoky air (BCCDC). Without air conditioning, spend the hottest hours somewhere cool.
Find Your Filter Size
Filterbuy makes more than 600 sizes and ships free to Canada. Match the size on your filter's edge (for example, 16x25x1). Subscribe and save can deliver a spare in late May, before smoke season. Edit, skip, or cancel anytime.
Supporting Statistics: Wildfire Smoke, Health, and Indoor Air in Canada
1. More Fires in Ontario This Year
803 wildland fires in Ontario's fire region in 2026
• About 14% above the 10-year average of 702.
• Source: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (year to date, 8 October 2026)
2. Smoke Affects Health Far From the Fire
Up to 2,500 deaths a year in Canada linked to long-term smoke exposure
• Short-term exposure: up to 240 deaths a year (2013–2018).
• Source: Health Canada (report summary, June 2024)
3. Portable Air Cleaners Reduce Indoor Particles
40–80% lower small-particle levels in most portable air cleaner studies
• Source: BC Centre for Disease Control fact sheet (May 2021, hosted by the BC Lung Foundation)
Editor note: update the Ontario fire count to the final season total after 31 October 2026.
Wildfire Smoke in Clarington, ON: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Wildfire Near Clarington, ON Today?
Check the live map at the top of this page. Large forest fires inside Clarington are rare.
What MERV Rating Do I Need for Wildfire Smoke?
MERV 13. EPA recommends MERV 13 or higher during smoke events. Filterbuy recommends having it in place by the time the AQI reaches 100.
How Do I Report a Fire in Clarington?
Call 911. Clarington is outside Ontario's northern fire region, so the 310-FIRE line does not cover it.
Why Is It Smoky If There Is No Fire Nearby?
Health Canada notes smoke can affect air quality thousands of kilometres from a fire. In July 2026, northwestern Ontario smoke led to an air quality warning across Clarington.
How Often Should I Change My Filter During Smoke?
Check it during the event and replace it when it looks dark brown or black, which can be well before the normal interval. Keep a spare on hand.
Glossary
• AQHI (Air Quality Health Index): Canada's official 1–10+ scale for the health risk of outdoor air.
• AQI (Air Quality Index): The U.S. EPA scale (0–500) shown on many live maps. Filterbuy's action line is AQI 100.
• Fire region (Ontario): Northern Ontario, where the province manages wildland fires. Clarington is outside it.
• HEPA filter: A high-efficiency filter used in portable air cleaners, not in furnaces.
• MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value): A 1–16 filter rating; higher numbers capture smaller particles.
• PM2.5: Particles 2.5 micrometres or smaller, the main concern in wildfire smoke.
• Three-signal check: Filterbuy's smoke-day method: map, AQHI, home.
Breathe Easier in Clarington This Smoke Season
Not sure which size you need? The Filterbuy Canada customer care team, part of our Better Air for All mission, is happy to help.