Air quality advisories are in effect Thursday for Mountain View and Red Deer counties along with urban centres near them due to wildfire smoke.
An air quality advisory warning is in effect for Red Deer County near Elnora, Lousana, Delburne, Penhold, Innisfail, Bowden, Pine Lake, Spruce View, Red Lodge Provincial Park and Sylvan Lake.
“Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility,” Environment Canada said in its 6:28 a.m. Aug. 15 alert update.
Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour, the federal agency advised.
“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,” the warning states.
According to the Alberta air quality health index, Red Deer is rated as a 10+ Thursday morning and is forecasted to continue at that level into Friday night.
The index lists, on a scale from one to 10, the health risks associated with certain air pollutants known to be harmful to human health.
Meanwhile a special air quality statement is in effect for Mountain View County near Carstairs, Cremona, Water Valley, Olds, Didsbury and Sundre.
“Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility,” Environment Canada said in its 2:26 a.m. Aug. 15 alert update which remained unchanged as of 9 a.m.The purpose of the special air quality statement is to explain air quality situations that cannot be adequately described in the air quality health index forecast bulletin.
