A quick whiff outside on Tuesday morning can confirm that smoky conditions have rolled back into the West Central region.
Multiple alerts via Environment and Climate Change Canada this morning are sharing a high priority air quality warning for a large part of the region. Widespread smoke is expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility according to the weather service, creating hazardous conditions for everyone regardless of age.
While these conditions linger it's smart to limit time outdoors. If the smoke remains into tonight, it could be smart to reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.
Anyone exposed to the smoke could face mild symptoms of eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, more serious symptoms to watch out for being wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. Extra risks can potentially exist for vulnerable populations like children, seniors, pregnant women, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, or people who work outdoors. In these cases, it's recommended to either reschedule or cancel if possible.
Other tips from Environment Canada include:
- When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
- Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
- If you must spend time outdoors, limit the time as much as possible.
- A well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.
- Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution.
The area has been reduced to a haze for the most part over the past week, but with more widespread smoke expected to start the week those conditions will linger. Northwest winds are in the forecast to start the week before reducing down to what's expected to only be a light breeze to close the week.