A clearer day near Ontario

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Start at your exact spot, then compare cleaner air and kinder weather within three hours.

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Peterborough (you are here) Good Moderate Unhealthy (sensitive) Unhealthy+

Whitney

#1

~2 h 45 min driveOntarioAQI 74 / Moderate· PM2.5 3.8 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Hamlet at Algonquin Park’s East Gate, with lodges and cabins on the park’s quieter side.

Hamilton

#2

~2 h 35 min driveOntarioAQI 133 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 4.7 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Hamilton Downtown station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Bobcaygeon

#3

~55 min driveOntarioAQI 77 / Moderate· PM2.5 4.9 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 2 — Low risk (Peterborough station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Kawartha canal town spread across three islands between Pigeon and Sturgeon lakes.

Bancroft

#4

~1 h 40 min driveOntarioAQI 77 / Moderate· PM2.5 5.8 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Mineral-country town on the York River between Hastings highlands and lake country.

Fenelon Falls

#5

~1 h 10 min driveOntarioAQI 89 / Moderate· PM2.5 5.9 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

The “Jewel of the Kawarthas,” a falls-side village on the Trent–Severn Waterway.

Oshawa

#6

~1 h driveOntarioAQI 90 / Moderate· PM2.5 6.1 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 2 — Low risk (Oshawa station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Buffalo

#7

~2 h 30 min driveNew YorkAQI 104 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 6.2 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major New York city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Haliburton

#8

~1 h 45 min driveOntarioAQI 80 / Moderate· PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Dorset station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Highlands village surrounded by hundreds of lakes and a large cottage-rental market.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

#9

~3 h 25 min driveOntarioAQI 114 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 3 — Low risk (St. Catharines station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Wine-country town where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario, dense with inns and B&Bs.

St. Catharines

#10

~2 h 15 min driveOntarioAQI 114 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 3 — Low risk (St. Catharines station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Brampton

#11

~2 h driveOntarioAQI 145 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 6.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 2 — Low risk (Brampton station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Mississauga

#12

~2 h driveOntarioAQI 145 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 6.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.1 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

AQHI 2 — Low risk (Mississauga station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Cobourg

#13

~55 min driveOntarioAQI 75 / Moderate· PM2.5 8.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.2 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Victorian lakefront town with a long sandy beach an easy hop east of the GTA.

Toronto

#14

~1 h 45 min driveOntarioAQI 121 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 8.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.2 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Toronto Downtown station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Pembroke

#15

~4 h 10 min driveOntarioAQI 66 / Moderate· PM2.5 9 µg/m³

≈ 0.2 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Ottawa Valley hub on the wide Ottawa River, the jumping-off point for Whitewater country.

Prince Edward County

#16

~2 h 10 min driveOntarioAQI 68 / Moderate· PM2.5 9.8 µg/m³

≈ 0.2 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 5 — Moderate risk (Belleville station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Island county of beaches, wineries and small hotels, surrounded on all sides by Lake Ontario air.

Guelph

#17

~2 h 40 min driveOntarioAQI 130 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 14.7 µg/m³

≈ 0.3 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Guelph station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Elora

#18

~3 h 10 min driveOntarioAQI 130 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 14.7 µg/m³

≈ 0.3 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Guelph station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Limestone village above the Elora Gorge, with a boutique mill hotel and quarry swimming.

St. Jacobs

#19

~3 h 5 min driveOntarioAQI 130 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 14.7 µg/m³

≈ 0.3 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Kitchener station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Mennonite-country village and market just outside Waterloo, an easy countryside reset.

Kitchener–Waterloo

#20

~3 h driveOntarioAQI 130 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 14.7 µg/m³

≈ 0.3 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Kitchener station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Bracebridge

#21

~2 h 40 min driveOntarioAQI 87 / Moderate· PM2.5 16.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Dorset station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Waterfall town in the heart of Muskoka with a deep bench of cottages and resorts.

Huntsville

#22

~3 h 5 min driveOntarioAQI 87 / Moderate· PM2.5 16.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 3 — Low risk (Dorset station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Muskoka’s biggest town, ringed by lakes and resorts on the edge of Algonquin Park.

Kingston

#23

~2 h 15 min driveOntarioAQI 65 / Moderate· PM2.5 17.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 9 — High risk (Kingston station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Westport

#24

~3 h 10 min driveOntarioAQI 67 / Moderate· PM2.5 18.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Village on Upper Rideau Lake in the hills of Rideau Lakes country, small but well-supplied with inns.

Perth

#25

~3 h 5 min driveOntarioAQI 67 / Moderate· PM2.5 18.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Stone-built heritage town on the Tay River, a calm base in the Rideau corridor.

Calabogie

#26

~3 h 50 min driveOntarioAQI 66 / Moderate· PM2.5 18.8 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Lake-and-highlands resort area in the Madawaska Valley with a four-season lodge scene.

Gravenhurst

#27

~2 h 25 min driveOntarioAQI 103 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 19.6 µg/m³

≈ 0.4 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Gateway to Muskoka on Lake Muskoka’s steamship wharf, the closest cottage country to the GTA.

Barrie

#28

~1 h 40 min driveOntarioAQI 113 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 23.1 µg/m³

≈ 0.5 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 4 — Moderate risk (Barrie station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

A major Ontario city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Gananoque

#29

~2 h 50 min driveOntarioAQI 66 / Moderate· PM2.5 23.1 µg/m³

≈ 0.5 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 9 — High risk (Kingston station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Gateway to the Thousand Islands, with river breezes off the St. Lawrence and island cruises at the dock.

Parry Sound

#30

~3 h 30 min driveOntarioAQI 115 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 23.4 µg/m³

≈ 0.5 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 5 — Moderate risk (Parry Sound station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Deep-water port on Georgian Bay’s island-studded coast, with open-bay air off the sound.

Orillia

#31

~2 h driveOntarioAQI 111 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 28.7 µg/m³

≈ 0.7 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 4 — Moderate risk (Barrie station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Sunshine City between Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe, with a full range of waterfront stays.

Wasaga Beach

#32

~3 h driveOntarioAQI 109 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 31.3 µg/m³

≈ 0.7 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

AQHI 4 — Moderate risk (Barrie station)

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

The world’s longest freshwater beach, with open Nottawasaga Bay air along the whole strip.

Midland

#33

~2 h 50 min driveOntarioAQI 118 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 33.2 µg/m³

≈ 0.8 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Harbour town on Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands shore, with bay cruises and shoreline trails.

Collingwood

#34

~3 h 25 min driveOntarioAQI 106 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 35.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.8 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Georgian Bay harbour town at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, with bay breezes and plenty of hotels and rentals.

The Blue Mountains

#35

~3 h 35 min driveOntarioAQI 106 / Unhealthy for sensitive groups· PM2.5 35.5 µg/m³

≈ 0.8 vs 0.1 🚬 at homeabout the same

▲ Air is currently worse here than in Peterborough

Observed Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Resort village on Georgian Bay with escarpment elevation, a walkable pedestrian base and year-round lodging.

4.9 µg/m³PM2.5 in Peterborough right now
AQI 77 / ModerateAQHI 2 — Low risk (Peterborough)Latest observation Jul 18, 3:00 p.m. EDT

Build-time readings shown

0.1cigarettes

Standing outside for 12 hours in Peterborough today is roughly like smoking that many cigarettes, going by the current fine-particle pollution.

An equivalence for health impact, not literal smoking: Berkeley Earth puts a full day at 22 µg/m³ of PM2.5 at about one cigarette.How we work this out →

Why live rankings?

Smoke plumes are patchy and move with changing winds, terrain and weather. Nearby lakefront, coastal and higher-elevation places can be much clearer than Peterborough, but no direction is reliably cleaner. That is why this list is recalculated from live PM2.5 readings every hour instead of publishing a fixed escape route. If everything within three hours is smoky, the rankings will say so. Sometimes the honest answer is to stay inside with a filter running.

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