Brantford’s Woodman Pool and Earl Haig Family Fun Park shut down early at 4:30 p.m. on July 15, 2026, due to heavy wildfire smoke that pushed air quality into the highest risk category. The City of Brantford said on social media it would open the indoor pool at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre for a free public swim that evening to give families a safe place to cool off.
The early closure came as smoke from more than 128 wildfires burning in northwestern Ontario drifted south across the province. Environment Canada reported Brantford’s Air Quality Health Index hit 10+, the very high risk level, meaning the smoke posed a danger to everyone regardless of age or health.
Grand Erie Public Health issued an air quality alert for the Brantford area and urged residents to stay indoors with windows and doors shut. Environment Canada warned that heavy smoke can harm anyone, and recommended limiting time outside.
Brantford wasn’t alone in closing outdoor pools. Hamilton shut all outdoor pools as of 4 p.m. on the same day, while Norfolk County closed the Delhi Kinsmen Pool. The smoke is expected to ease gradually, with the Air Quality Health Index dropping to 8, or high risk, Thursday night, and reaching 6, moderate risk, by Friday.
