Air quality warning for Calgary as wildfire smoke rolls in
Posted May 16, 2023 8:16 am.
Last Updated May 16, 2023 7:30 pm.
Smoke from wildfires in central and northern Alberta has wafted down to Calgary Tuesday, prompting an air quality warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
A special air quality statement was issued just before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, saying that smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Smoke swept over Calgary on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Nick Blakeney/CityNews).
Conditions were initially reported to be a 6 on the risk scale, considered to be moderate. About an hour later, the risk had jumped to 10+, which is very high risk.
However, air quality conditions are expected to improve on Wednesday.
People with asthma or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects due to the wildfire smoke.
At-risk individuals, especially children and the elderly, are asked to avoid intense activities outdoors.
Read more: ‘Perfect storm’: Alberta wildfires surge in hot and dry conditions
Members of the general population should reduce or reschedule outdoor activities, especially if you experience symptoms like coughing and throat irritation.
Environment Canada says everyone responds to smoke differently, but mild irritation and discomfort are common and typically go away when the smoke clears.
Drinking lots of water can help your body deal with the smoke, the weather service says.
Residents should also keep windows and doors closed if the temperature in their homes is comfortable.
This alert comes as the wildfire situation in Alberta continues, with 87 active wildfires as of Tuesday.
Hot and dry weather expected this week raised the concern that wildfires would make their way to the southern part of the province.
