Smoky haze covers Edmonton; heat advisory in place

WATCH ABOVE: A smoky haze covered Edmonton and surrounding areas Saturday as wildfires continue to burn across the western provinces.

EDMONTON — Smoke from wildfires burning throughout Alberta and northern B.C. caused a haze over the City of Edmonton over the weekend.

The smoke was so bad Edmonton was given a nine on the province’s Air Quality Health Index Saturday morning. That rating was dropped to an eight Sunday, but that is still on the high end of the scale.

A special air quality statement remained in place Sunday for parts of Alberta, including the Capital Region.

During times of poor air quality, the province suggests people reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, particularly elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

READ MORE: Wildfire at Jasper National Park being held at 5,000 hectares

A heat advisory has also been issued for the Edmonton Zone; Alberta Health Services issued the advisory Friday due to high temperatures forecast for the weekend.

In order to avoid sunburn, heat-related exhaustion and heat stroke, AHS advises people in the Capital Region to take the following precautions:

• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day.
• Take frequent breaks from heat, spending time indoors at cooled public buildings (including malls or indoor pools).
• Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.
• Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle.
• Apply a sunscreen of at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30, at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors. Be sure the SPF 30 screens out both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply frequently (as directed on product label).
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with a UVA/UVB CSA certified seal).
• Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover skin.

Health officials say people should watch out for symptoms of heat stroke, including high body temperature, lack of sweat, disorientation, fainting and unconsciousness.

“Normal activity that may be safe on a cool day might be dangerous in current weather conditions. If you start to feel overheated, stop your activity immediately, seek shade and drink fluids,” said Dr. Chris Sikora, medical officer of health with AHS.

READ MORE: Edmontonians embrace the heat as city sets new temperature record

Seniors and young children are most at risk of seeing symptoms of heat-related medical issues. Those with pre-existing medical conditions are also at risk, according to AHS.

“Excessive heat can aggravate underlying medical illness such as congestive heart failure, and can also be of heightened danger to children and seniors,” said Sikora.

WATCH: Kevin O’Connell has your full weather forecast, as of 6:30 p.m. Saturday

AHS says the heat advisory will remain in effect until 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Edmonton Zone includes the entire Capital Region. For more information on the precautions you should take during a heat advisory, visit Alberta Health Service’s website.

For more information on the province’s Air Quality Health Index, visit the Government of Alberta’s website.

*Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Friday, July 10. It was updated throughout the weekend, and most recently at 11:33 a.m. Sunday with updated air quality numbers.