More air quality statements issued in northwestern Ontario First Nations with conditions expected to worsen
52 wildfires are burning in Ontario, but Environment Canada says poor air quality is due to fires to the west
Environment Canada air quality statements have remained in effect through the week in northwestern Ontario, and now the agency is reporting conditions may worsen through the day.
Air quality statements have been issued for eight First Nations, and as of Friday Environment Canada said it is expecting to see a more significant plume of forest fire smoke push through the region from neighbouring Manitoba.
The agency said that smoke is expected to arrive in the region Friday morning and persist into the evening.
"The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase," reads the statement from Environment Canada.
"People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke include seniors, pregnant women and pregnant people, people who smoke, infants and young children, people who work outdoors, people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise and people with an existing illness or chronic health condition," said the agency.
Environment Canada is suggesting people in these areas limit time outdoors, and while indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible to help protect from smoke.
The air quality statements have been issued for Pikangikum, Weagamow, Deer Lake, Sandy Lake, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, MacDowell, and Poplar Hill First Nations.
A special air quality statement has been in effect for a number of First Nations in the region through the week including Sachigo Lake, and Bearskin Lake.
That's due to smoke from wildfires in northern Ontario and in the northern Prairies affecting air quality.
As of Friday morning, 52 active wildfires burn in Ontario according to the province's Ministry of Natural Resources.
About 30 of those active wildfires are located in the northwestern Ontario region.
There are several large fires burning in the northern part of the region, including one near the Manitoba border. It's burning in the Red Lake District and covers about 11,600 hectares of land.
According to the ministry, nearly all of the fires in the region are being observed by crews.