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Poor air quality due to smoke may last most of week

UPDATE JUNE 6: Environment Canada and Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks have issued a joint special air quality statement for regions within Hastings and Prince Edward counties.

High levels of air pollution have developed due to smoke from forest fires, and poor air quality may persist through most of this week.

Conditions may vary within the region and throughout the day.

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to health even at low concentrations; however, everyone responds differently. Mild irritation and discomfort are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears.

Public health recommends people stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or if you or someone in your care feels unwell. Drink water to help your body cope with the smoke. Keep your doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable.

People with lung ailments, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke. Individuals who are most vulnerable to the health effects of wildfire smoke may benefit from using air purifiers in the home, and well-fitting procedural/surgical masks, when outdoors.

Mild and common symptoms of smoke exposure include:
sore and watery eyes
runny nose and sinus irritation
scratchy throat and mild coughing
headache

Severe symptoms of smoke exposure include:
shortness of breath
wheezing (including asthma attacks)
severe cough
dizziness
chest pains
heart palpitations

Seek medical attention if you develop severe symptoms.

Smoke in weather forecast

JUNE 5: The haze you see is real as smoke from wildfires north of the area and in Quebec make their way into Ontario bringing poor air quality.

Environment Canada reports today and Tuesday’s mix of sun and cloud (high 23-24) will also include smoke and a high ultra violet index.  Vulnerable groups of the population, such as those with lung diseases, should limit their time outdoors.

There is a 40 per cent chance of showers Monday evening and overnight, possibly a thunderstorm. The Weather Network ca reports the storm risk and notes any precipitation misses the areas impacted by 150 wildfires that need it most.

The network states there have been 416 forest this year in Quebec – surpassing the 10-year average of 199 fires for the province by the beginning of June.

“As surface smoke travels south, poor air quality will become a major concern over these next few days for major cities like Ottawa and Montreal, with even residents in the GTA possibly feeling the impacts. These regions are likely to continue to record some of the worst air quality across North America during the early part of the work week.

Early Monday morning, widespread special air quality statements were issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada, along with some local smog warnings for western Quebec.

Upper level smoke will be able to travel hundreds of kilometers southward through this week, leading to hazy skies and enhanced sunsets in parts of the United States.”

Click here for the Ontario Forest Fire Information Map

 

 

 

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  1. In 1977 I was in the environmental science program at Penn State University where they told us that manmade air pollution was creating a “greenhouse effect” that is warming the planet, melting glaciers and polar ice caps, sea levels will rise, deserts will spread and fires will burn forests. Also could have assumed humans won’t do anything to stop it. So far so good on their predictions. Canada is on fire.

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