RED DEER COUNTY – An air quality warning is in effect for much of Red Deer County Tuesday due to wildfire smoke.
Environment Canada updated its alerts on the morning of Tuesday, July 23 escalating its special air quality statement for the Penhold, Innisfail and Bowden areas issued Monday to a warning advisory.
“Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility. Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,” the warning for the area stated.
The air quality health index for Red Deer today is rated as 10+ which puts the area in the very high-risk category.
The index is a scale that lists a number from one to 10+ to indicate the level of health risk associated with air quality.
The higher the number, the greater the risk and the need to take precautions.
According to Environment Canada’s air quality warning, “during heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk.”
Among those more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke include seniors, 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, Environment Canada says.
Those who are more likely to be impacted are urged to reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.
There are no locations in Mountain View County or the urban centres located within its geographical boundaries under an air quality warning.
No advisory is in place for a strip of Alberta that starts near Drayton Valley, goes through the Airdrie - Cochrane - Olds - Sundre area, includes Calgary and ends at the province's southern border.
