Wildfire smoke from B.C. prompts Sask. air quality statement
People with lung or cardiovascular disease should take special care
Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for central and southern Saskatchewan communities as smoke from wildfires in B.C. blows into the area.
The special air quality statement has been issued for:
- Leader - Gull Lake
- Carlyle - Oxbow - Carnduff - Bienfait - Stoughton
- Swift Current - Herbert - Cabri - Kyle - Lucky Lake
- Shaunavon - Maple Creek - Val Marie - Cypress Hills
- Moose Jaw - Pense - Central Butte - Craik
- Moosomin - Grenfell - Kipling - Wawota
- Assiniboia - Gravelbourg - Coronach
- City of Regina
- Fort Qu'Appelle - Indian Head - Lumsden - Pilot Butte
- Estevan - Weyburn - Radville - Milestone
The weather agency says smoke plumes moving over portions of southern Saskatchewan from forest fires in B.C. have resulted in lower air quality in the area.
People may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and people with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
Monitor conditions
Ministry of Health chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said people with some underlying conditions should stay inside if the sky looks hazy enough that it is difficult to see beyond one or two kilometres.
"What that means is that if you are otherwise well and healthy you don't really have to modify your outdoor activities," Shahab.
"But if you have underlying health conditions like chronic lung disease or heart disease, or if you have an individual sensitivity to smoke, then probably it's a good idea to not do too much outdoors."
Visit Environment Canada's website for current and forecast air quality health index values for Saskatchewan and firesmoke.ca for smoke forecasts.
