DIDSBURY - As a heat warning continues for Mountain View County and neighbouring urban municipalities Wednesday, an air quality warning has now been issued for the area, leading some to re-think planned outdoor activities.
The county, along with Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Sundre and Cremona, is now under the same air quality warning issued Tuesday for Red Deer County, Innisfail and Bowden,
“Wildfire smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility,” Environment Canada’s July 24 warning for the area said.
The federal agency said air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.
“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,” Environment Canada noted.
Environment Canada’s heat warning for the area on Wednesday morning also made note of smoke.
“Thick smoke in parts of the province may cause daytime highs to be a few degrees cooler than forecast over the coming days. The combination of heat and very poor air quality in smoke will increase the risk to your health,” the heat warning said.
The prolonged heat event continues, with daytime highs between 27 C and 39 C.
“Cooler temperatures are expected for northern Alberta on Wednesday. Hot conditions may persist through much of the week for some parts of southern Alberta,” the heat warning said.
Meanwhile, organizers of some outside events in Didsbury are moving indoors or rescheduling altogether.
“Due to the outdoor conditions, today's Wild Wednesday event, War Wednesday; Nerf Wars, is moved to the Multi-Purpose Room at the Didsbury Memorial Complex at 1702 21 Avenue (swimming pool/arena building). See you there!,” the Town of Didsbury posted on social media on Wednesday.
A day previous, the town’s Family Community and Support Services rescheduled a planned event at the Rosebud Campground.
“Due to heat and air quality warnings, the Campfire Connect scheduled for this evening (July 23, 2024) is reschedule to next week, July30 at 6:30 p.m.,” the FCSS post said.
