Air quality forecasts
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment monitors air quality and issues forecasts. There are three categories in air quality forecasts. They are good (0-31), moderate (32-49), and poor (50+). When air quality and weather conditions are likely to produce smog within the next 72 hours, the Ministry of the Environment will issue a Smog Watch. If conditions are such that smog may be produced within the next 24 hours or is currently being produced, the Ministry of the Environment will issue a Smog Advisory.
When a smog advisory is issued, City of Burlington staff follow the Clean Air Plan, approved by Council in May 2006. The plan highlights a series of actions to follow until the smog advisory is lifted through a smog termination notice issued by the provincial Ministry of the Environment. Key municipal staff have been signed up with the Ministry's smog alert system and will be notified directly through email when smog warnings, advisories, or termination notices are issued. In addition, the new Clean Air Plan also highlights year round actions that anyone can take to reduce their daily impact on the environment.
