Smoke in much of Alberta and western Saskatchewan is causing very poor air quality, while wildfires continue to rage in Canada’s north.
Environment Canada has issued air quality warnings for regions of both Prairie provinces, saying smoke is also reducing visibility in some areas.
In Calgary the air quality health index was rated as “very high risk” Tuesday morning, and although conditions were forecast to improve throughout the day, the national weather agency said conditions were also expected to vary widely from hour to hour across the region.
“There is a lot of smoke out there,” said Environment Canada Scientist Christy Climenhaga who said the smelly haze is expected to last late into the week, although southerly winds should provide a reprieve for southern Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan.
Those most at risk, said Climenhaga, include adults age 65 and up, babies and people with pre-existing health conditions.
She recommended they avoid strenuous activities and seek medical help if they experience anything like eye, throat and nose irritation, coughing or chest pains.
Get weekly health news
“When you see smoke to this extent, when you have air quality health index values of 10 or 10 plus, you really want to be limiting your time outside as much as you can and keeping your doors and windows closed,” Climenhaga said.
The warning comes as wildfires in the Northwest Territories, including one not far from the hamlet of Fort Providence, forced hundreds to flee their homes.
The fire southwest of Yellowknife has so far scorched 1,020 square kilometres of land.
RCMP say officers are conducting patrols in Fort Providence, but calls for service from those who remain in the community are hindering firefighting efforts.
“The safety of residents is our top priority and we urge those who have not yet evacuated to do so immediately,” Mounties said Tuesday.
A wildfire near the First Nations community of Whati, northwest of Yellowknife, has also forced the evacuation of 500 residents living in that community.
With files from Global News.
Comments