Thick smoke, poor air quality cancel outdoor events in Edmonton
A thick layer of haze and smoke has been blanketing Edmonton for days, as wildfire smoke from B.C., Saskatchewan and the U.S. continues to filter into the province.
As of 9 a.m. on Monday, the Air Quality Health Index placed Edmonton at a level 7, putting the city in the "high risk" category. However, the city is expected to increase to a level 9 later in the day.
“It clearly is smoky right from the surface to the high levels and really it’s sort of imported smoke,” David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said.
Phillips explained the winds are moving from east to west and blowing smoke into the province.
“Alberta is like the exhaust pipe for North America, all of peoples crud is being exhausted into the province of Alberta.”
He said the number of wildfires in Alberta itself is down compared to the 10-year average.
Since air quality statements remain in place for most of the region, it's prompted closures of a number of outdoor facilities including all city-run outdoor pools, spray parks and green shack programs.
The YWCA has also cancelled all of its programs for Monday due to wildfire smoke creating poor air quality for campers.
In the tweet it said while the news was disappointing, “the health and safety of our campers is paramount.”
On Monday, Snow Valley announced reduced hours for the day. The Aerial Park and Whitemud Creek Mining Co. will both close at 1 p.m. before air quality worsens.
If possible consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities to a later date, especially if you have asthma or COPD, as current conditions can worsen those symptoms.
“It's really time to take a break from being outdoors,” Helene Hamilton, a public education officer for Alberta Health Services EMS, said.
“Trying to again get into an area where the air is filtered so that you are not inhaling the particulates.”
Phillips told CTV News Edmonton this is something that’s not going away even if conditions start to improve.
“We know the forests are tinder boxes they’re just a spark away from igniting again,” he said.
“Humans are as powerful as nature in creating the kinds of extremes we’re seeing on planet earth.”
Under the current conditions, AHS recommends the following:
- Closing windows and doors, including attached garage doors;
- Turning down the furnace thermostats and fans to a minimum setting;
- If you have an air conditioner, keeping the fresh air intake closed;
- Closing all floor registers and fire place dampers;
- Running car fans on re-circulate to avoid drawing in outdoor air; and
- Not smoking tobacco and avoiding using backyard fire pits.
Anyone experiencing symptoms due to smoke can call Health Link at 811.
It’s advised to check schedules before heading to any planned outdoor activities to see if hours have been reduced or if they’ve been cancelled.
“Smoke can have a local effect,” Phillips added.
“It can effect temperature, air quality, and can create its own weather.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.