Air quality concerns in southwestern Alberta from wildfires
Residents of Lethbridge are being urged to reduce their time outdoors due to wildfire smoke that is blanketing parts of southwestern Alberta.
Monday, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) was shifting between four and seven in the areas around Lethbridge and Taber, which ranges from moderate to the low end of the high risk category.
The forecast calls for the AQHI to reach nine on Tuesday and Tuesday evening.
Many areas of southern Alberta remain under gray skies and a dingy veil of haze, but the wildfire smoke wasn’t enough to keep Pam Brown from going for a walk in the river valley with some of her friends.
However, it did cause them to change their route said Brown. “We were going to go up and down in the coulees, but a couple of ladies are bothered by the smoke, so we are just going to stick to the river bottom and hope for the best.”
Oksana and Roman Ostashevsky are visiting the area from Edmonton. They said the smoke reduced visibility and made for an eerie drive, but they still wanted to get outside and enjoy the scenery.
“Worst case scenario, we can use the masks,” said Oksana. “We have them in our car.”
The Air Quality Health Index was shifting between four and seven in the areas around Lethbridge and Taber, which ranges from moderate to the low end of the high risk category. The forecast calls for the AQHI to reach nine on Tuesday and Tuesday evening.
HEALTH CHALLENGES
Alberta Health Services said there were no air quality advisories or warnings for the Lethbridge area, but the Lung Association of Alberta and Northwest Territories said smoky conditions in the moderate to high range can become a challenge for both people with or without lung or heart disease.
“For someone without lung problems wood smoke can irritate your eyes, your lungs, throat and sinuses,” said Nina Snyder, COO of the lung association.
“You might have a headache and think it’s because your kids are off school, but maybe you are reacting to your environment,” Snyder added.
She said smoke in the air can also trigger asthma and cause reduced lung function in children because their lungs are smaller.
For those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the complications can be even more severe.
“For someone who has severe COPD and is on oxygen, going outside is not going to be the best thing for them,” added Snyder.
“People may need help picking up groceries or medication,” she added.
Despite a haze that made it hard to see across the river valley Bali Khadka was running a circuit that include several steep coulee hills.
“It is a little bit harder than running in normal weather,” said Khadka, who enjoys exercise and loves to run. “It is a little harder to breathe.”
The Air Quality Health Index was shifting between four and seven in the areas around Lethbridge and Taber, which ranges from moderate to the low end of the high risk category. The forecast calls for the AQHI to reach nine on Tuesday and Tuesday evening.
The city of Lethbridge tweeted that Henderson Pool was closed for the day due to the poor air quality. "A message from our partners at Recreation Excellence: Due to poor air quality, Henderson Pool will not be open today for the safety of visitors and staff. This includes Aqua Zumba and Fit. Have a great day and stay safe!"
The air quality can fluctuate over short distances and vary considerably hour by hour. Lung association officials said that makes it important for people to monitor the AQHI, so they can be aware of what’s coming, and take the necessary precautions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.