Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued an air quality warning for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley on Wednesday due to wildfire smoke.
“Wildfires contributing smoke to the region include those just east of Hope, near Whistler, and a large complex of fires in the Cariboo region, in addition to fires in the U.S.,” said an agency statement.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LIVE WEATHER COVERAGE!The air quality information platform IQAir ranks Vancouver as one of the cities with the worst air quality on the planet. Currently, its air quality index (AQI) is 77. This translates into moderate air quality.
As smoke levels increase, so do health risks, and ECCC is reminding you to limit time outdoors and consider reducing outdoor sports and activities.
“You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance,” the ECCC warned, adding that pregnant people, children, and people aged 65 and over are most likely to be affected.
At a press conference in Victoria, B.C.’s Minister of Forest, Ravi Parmar, says that there is more smoke to be expected in the coming days.
“In the next 24 to 72 hours, there are already reports of smoke hitting communities. We do expect more smoke to arrive in the central and southern interior tonight or tomorrow and reach Abbotsford and the coast by Friday,” he said.
“Smoke is coming from both Yukon and the Northwest Territories, from wildfires.”
Dr. Sarah Henderson, the scientific director of Environmental Health Services at the BC Centre for Disease Control, explains that the smoke intensity will last for the next three days as warmer-than-normal temperatures remain.
“Both heat and wildfire smoke are stressors on the body, and simply put, heat makes wildfire smoke worse,” she said,
Recommended to minimize outdoor exercise
She recommends that IQAir map that provides the fine particulate matter concentrations from all of the government sensors across Canada.
Henderson says that symptoms from wildfire smoke are a sore throat, stinging eyes, and a headache.
“Those things are normal and usually transient. They will go away when the smoke goes away,” she explained.
“Some people may have more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or a tight chest. If you’re having severe symptoms from wildfire smoke, please seek medical care.”
Henderson highly recommends protecting oneself from wildfire smoke as longer-lasting health impacts can leave a “fingerprint” on the body.
“It’s important to understand that if you take measures to protect yourself from wildfire smoke when it’s smoky outside, you’ll also be protecting your health in the longer term.”
Those measures can include wearing a mask outdoors, minimizing outdoor exercise, and running an air purifier.
Additionally, the ECCC asked that you check in on neighbours or others in your care who may be more likely to be impacted by air pollution.
“If you must spend time outdoors, 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.”
The warning is expected to last for a few days or until there is a change in the weather.
There are currently 154 active wildfires in B.C., 10 of which started in the last 24 hours.