Smoke from wildfires settles in over Lethbridge
A summer with mostly clear skies above Lethbridge has come to an end.
Smoke from wildfires in B.C., Montana and right here in Alberta has hit the southern half of the province, and those most vulnerable will have to be on their guard.
“Most folks already know their triggers, and if wildfire smoke or smoke period is a trigger then we just ask you to protect your health during a wildfire,” said Nina Snyder, COO for Alberta Lung.
“You can limit outdoor activities and strenuous activities as much as possible.”
While the smoke isn’t too bad at the moment, there are fears it could become worse, at which point it could be dangerous even to those without pre-existing health conditions.
“If there's a poor air quality health index that's between seven and 10 or six and 10, that's actually (when) even healthy people should take care when they're performing strenuous exercise,” Snyder said.
Even those in peak physical condition will have to remain cautious of the ever-changing smoke conditions.
Athletes who practise and compete outdoors may struggle to do so at their top level.
“It's more work because you're breathing in more of the smoke,” said Daniel Okpala, a soccer player for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.
“So I would say that it's a bit heavier and that it's more work. So usually the coaches would just kind of slow down the practice and if it gets not good enough for us to practise we can end the practice and just move it into the gym.”
Despite all the recent smoke, Okpala says the team has been able to practise as it normally would.
Still, coaches aren’t taking any chances.
“The coaches have always let us know if it's good for us to come out and practise or good for us to come out. They make sure to check the weather report before we come out.”
To find out your local air quality health index reading, you can visit the Government of Canada website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.