Wildfire smokes prompts Alberta air quality statement; Edmonton activates extreme weather response

Smoke from wildfires in northeastern B.C. prompted Environment Canada  to issue a special air quality statement across Alberta on Saturday.

According to the alert, smoke is expected to return for most of northeastern Alberta on Sunday.

However, conditions should begin to improve Sunday night for most of the province.

Conditions are likely to remain poor through Monday and possibly Tuesday for northwestern Alberta.

Environment Canada is urging everyone to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke by reducing or stopping outdoor activities if breathing becomes uncomfortable or if feeling unwell.

The City of Edmonton activated its extreme weather response for poor air quality on Sunday afternoon and is scheduled to remain in effect until 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to the city’s website, the threshold for air quality activations is two consecutive days of a score of seven or higher on the Air Quality Health Index. 

Currently, Edmonton’s air quality is measured as a 7 but is forecast to go over 10 starting Sunday evening.

City facilities, including recreation centres, pools and libraries, will be open for anyone needing a reprieve from the smoke. The city said LRT stations and transit centres are inappropriate places for a smoke reprieve because most facilities are exposed to the outside air and don’t have controlled indoor climates.

The city will also distribute N-95 masks to social agency partners to give to community members who need to be protected from smoke.