'Reduce your exposure': Poor air quality alerts remain in place for most of Alberta Sunday
Wildfire smoke continues to envelop Edmonton and most of Alberta Sunday, prompting an air quality statement from Environment Canada.
Edmonton’s air quality reached a week-high of 10 Saturday afternoon.
Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index considers a 7-10 to be “high risk” and encourages people to minimize their time outside.
The weather agency said Edmonton’s air quality was observed as an 8 Sunday morning and forecasted a value of 10 plus as the maximum value to be reached later in the day.
Calgary was observed to have a value of 10 Sunday morning and also expected to reach an air quality index of 10 plus overnight.
Air quality alerts were in place for most parts of the province Sunday except for northwest regions, including Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge, Peace River, High Level, and Fort Chipewyan.
“Air quality can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably hour by hour,” the air quality statement read. “Consider taking extra precautions to reduce your exposure.
“Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health.”
Environment Canada expects “very high” air quality values to be experienced throughout the province until mid-week, especially in central and northern regions.
Alberta Health Services suggests residents in areas of poor air quality due to smoke close all outside windows and doors, keep car windows and vents closed while driving and using fans on air re-circulate mode, avoid running fresh air ventilation systems that bring outdoor air inside a home, and turning furnace thermostats and furnace fans to the minimum setting.
Anyone experiencing symptoms due to the smoke can call 811 to speak to a registered nurse.
To see what parts of the province are under an air quality statement, visit Environment Canada's website.
Century Downs in Calgary and Century Mile in Edmonton cancelled all live horse racing Sunday due to the poor air quality.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.