AIR QUALITY CLOSURES: Hamilton area cancellations and updates

Smoke from forest fires around the country has led to some local event cancellations due to high levels of air pollution in Hamilton and most of southern Ontario.

Environment Canada has issued a special air-quality statement, which is expected to remain in effect the rest of the week, and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is posting air-quality results in Hamilton over 10-plus - or very high risk - for Wednesday and Thursday.

Provincial air-quality readings are updated live at airqualityontario.com.

The city of Hamilton issued a ban on all open-air burning on Wednesday afternoon due to elevated risk of wildland and grass fires. The ban - which includes, burning of clean wood and brush, outdoor campfires and all outdoor wood burning appliances - suspends all approved open-air burning permits and will remain in effect until further notice.

If your community organization is closing or cancelling an event on Wednesday or Thursday because of the air quality, email news@thespec.com.

Cancellations closures and updates

• The city of Hamilton has cancelled all rental permits for outdoor sport and recreation amenities for Wednesday.

• Farside bar on James Street North has closed their patio for the evening, indoor service is still being offered.

• Soccer World has cancelled all soccer and baseball programming for Wednesday night.

• Gage Park Softball Association has cancelled Wednesday's junior softball games.

• Hamilton Beach Volleyball Club is cancelled Wednesday.

• Hamilton Soccer has cancelled all games and practices within the boundaries of Hamilton Soccer for Wednesday. All levels of the Hamilton Soccer League (HSL), Niagara Soccer League (NSL) and club house leagues are affected.

• Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer Club programming is cancelled Wednesday.

• Dundurn Kitchen Garden at the RBG is closed Wednesday.

• The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board track meet for Grades 6 to 8 Wednesday has been cancelled.

• The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is keeping students indoors on Wednesday and will continue to monitor air quality over the course of the week.

• Halton District School Board cancelled all sports activities Wednesday.

• Hamilton Public Library Bookmobile visits on Wednesday and Thursday are cancelled. The visits are expected to resume next week.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com