Ontario automotive businesses have reported only modest disruptions from wildfire smoke that spread across the province on July 14 and 15, with fewer walk-in customers but little effect on scheduled work.
Winds carried smoke southeast from fires in northwestern Ontario, creating unhealthy air quality in Toronto while conditions varied closer to the fires. Ontario reported 136 active wildfires in its Northwest Region on July 15, including 63 that were not under control.
For aftermarket locations located nearest the wildfires, prevailing winds helped prevent significant local buildups of smoke.
Jake Kantola, parts and service advisor at Kenora Honda, said the dealership experienced only limited smoke despite its proximity to the fires.
“It hasn’t been too bad here, even though we’re close to the blazes,” Kantola said. “Things at the shop have run smoothly.”
Mark Crupi of NAPA Dryden reported similar conditions. “We’re close to the fires here, but we’ve avoided the worst of the smoke,” Crupi said. “It’s headed south.”
Terry Cain of Performance Collision Toronto, a North York bodyshop, said the smoke reduced street traffic but did not significantly disrupt operations.
“It’s a slow time of year, so it didn’t affect us too much, though foot traffic was down,” Cain said.
