The air quality is described as "very high risk" today. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

People encouraged to stay indoors

City advises residents of poor air quality due to wildfire smoke

May 17, 2023 | 11:32 AM

The City of North Battleford is advising residents to use caution when outdoors due to the current poor air quality conditions.

It issued a statement Wednesday morning that the Battlefords region is under an air quality advisory from Environment Canada, due to wildfire smoke.

“With smoke moving in from multiple wildfires in both Alberta and northern Saskatchewan, Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the Battlefords,” the city said in a media release.

Information from Environment Canada indicates that a cold front today “will drag a narrow band of thicker smoke” through the southeastern corner of the province. The current Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) conditions are classified as “very high risk.”

Reduced visibility due to the smoke is also an issue.

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People with lung disease, such as asthma, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant women, and people who work outside are at higher risk of experiencing negative health effects caused by the wildfire smoke.

For people who need to spend time outside, Environment Canada recommends they use a proper-fitting respirator-type mask – an N95 or equivalent respirator – that does not allow air to pass through the small openings between the mask and face.

This type of mask can help reduce exposure to fine smoke particles, most often considered the greatest health risk.

Respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke.

The city said it also issued a Voyent Alert advisory about Environment Canada’s special air quality statement to inform the public.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW