Air quality advisory issued for Calgary amid wildfire smoke

An air quality advisory has been issued for Calgary due to wildfire smoke.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the advisory just before 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, saying the smoke is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility.

"Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," Environment Canada said.

"The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase."

As of 5 p.m., Calgary's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) was sitting at 10+ (very high risk).

Calgary's air quality is forecast to stay at high-risk levels around 10 throughout Thursday evening and Friday, although showers are also in the forecast that could change things.

Those most impacted by wildfire smoke are seniors, those who are pregnant, 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 conditions.

Events cancelled

Due to the smoke, the city cancelled some free outdoor programs, including Park n' Play and Stay n' Play,  Mobile Adventure Playground and Mobile Skate & Scoot Spot.

Environment and Climate Change Canada measures smoke hours when visibility is reduced below six  miles. 

By that metric, it says Calgary saw 148 hours of smoke this season between May and August 14, a substantial reduction from 2023, which saw 512 hours from May to September.

“So to put that into perspective that’s about 6.2 days or so if smoky conditions. Compared to last year, that was a very smoky year, so that entire fire season which boils down to about 21.3 days,” said Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Vehicles impacted by smoke

2023 was Calgary’s smokiest on record.. unsurprising since it was also the worst Canadian wildfire year on record.   

While not welcome, many are becoming familiar with the challenges presented by smoky conditions.

“Conditions have certainly gotten worse in Calgary over my lifetime. I’m a born and raised Calgarian and I don’t remember summers quite like this,” said Brad Ireland with Fountain Tire.

He said wildfire smoke can clog filters more quickly so it’s important to get them checked regularly.

“It has a lot of effect on airflow and air conditioning over the course of the summer so a clogged cabin air filter can really affect your health as well as your vehicles health.”

The very young, old, ill or pregnant are most at risk, and so are people involved in strenuous outdoor activities.. which poses a challenge for summer sports.

Stamps face challenging conditions

Some rely on the advice of on-site meteorologists.

“That meteorologist -- that person has one of the toughest jobs on site where the safety of the players but also thousands of spectators down here is the priority,” said Chris Dornan with Rogers Charity Classic golf tournament. 

Calgary Stampeders are scheduled to play at 7 p.m. Thursday night. They posted on social media Thursday that they are "actively monitoring air quality conditions," around 2:30 p.m.

The CFL Players Association said the decision whether or not to play will be made by the results of the on-field reading. If the reading is 71 or higher for a ten-minute period, then the game will be halted (similar to the lightning policy).

The CFL took heat from the players association last year when the Labour Day classic in Calgary went ahead, despite Environment Canada's Air Quality Health index measuring between eight and 10 throughout the day.

Since then an independent third party organization tests the air quality at games, and provides measurements in real time

Each CFL stadium is equipped with multiple air quality sensors to provide real-time readings at the venue. Active smoke systems are monitored in the lead up to, and throughout, gameday.

The Okotoks Dawgs are hosting Game 1 of the WCBL Finals at 7:05 p.m. at Seaman Stadium. A special air quality statement has been issued for the Black Diamond area as well.

CTV has reached out to the Dawgs for comment.