OLDS - A special air quality statement is in effect for much of the province including from Innisfail south to Carstairs as well as Sundre east to Olds and beyond.
“Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility,” said a May 16 Environment Canada statement issued this morning on behalf of Environment Canada, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services.
The special air quality statement is in effect for Environment Canada regions including Airdrie-Cochrane-Olds-Sundre, Red Deer-Ponoka-Innisfail-Stettler and Rocky Mountain House- Caroline.
There is widespread smoke in the region and high winds. Environment Canada’s weather reporting station at Sundre registered windspeeds of 34 kilometres an hour at 10 a.m. with the possibility of gusts up to 50 kilometres an hour.
The nearest air quality health index reporting cities of Red Deer and Calgary are forecasted as a seven on the index, which is in the high health risk category.
People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke, according to the statement.
Environment Canada’s air quality statement says at-risk populations should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy.
The general population should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if experiencing symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations, according to the statement.
Air quality conditions are expected to improve on Wednesday.
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