Expect poor air quality to persist into weekend in Waterloo region and area
Smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour, advisory says
While some parts of Ontario will experience clearer skies on Thursday, smoke over Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County continued Thursday and Environment Canada said poor air quality may persist into the weekend.
The haze and smell of smoke in the region is caused by forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario.
"Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," the weather agency said in a special air quality statement on its website.
The smoke from the wildfires can be harmful to people's health and all people are encouraged to take precautions to reduce exposure to smoke. That includes keeping windows closed and use an air purifier.
People with lung disease, heart disease, as well as older adults, children, people who are pregnant and people who work outside are at higher risk of experiencing health effects from the smoke.
"Take a break from the smoke by temporarily relocating or finding a location in your community with clean, cool air such as a library, shopping mall or community centre," Environment Canada's statement said.
Smoke prompts cancellations
A special air quality statement was first issued for Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County on Monday. Since then, the haze and smell of smoke has been noticeable over the community.
The conditions have prompted local school boards and sports groups to reschedule or postpone strenuous outdoor activities.
On Thursday, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board said it cancelled track and field events as a precaution to ensure student safety.
Guelph Minor Baseball said it will post on social media before 3 p.m. if games are to be postponed.
The Guelph Fire Department tweeted on Wednesday that it had received a number of calls about the smoke and reminded people to only call 911 in the case of an emergency.
Cambridge and Kitchener also issued city-wide fire bans on Thursday due to the ongoing dry conditions with no rainfall expected over the coming days, air quality warnings and active forest fires.
"All open or active burn permits are immediately revoked until further notice," the City of Cambridge said in a release, adding no new permits will be issued or approved until further notice.
This is in addition to fire bans already declared in the region's four townships. Waterloo already prohibits open air fires within city limits.
The Grand River Conservation Authority says it has not yet issued fire bans for campers, but it is working with local municipalities to determine next steps for camp and cooking fires in the conservation areas.
Conditions will improve by Saturday
Monica Vaswani is a warning preparedness meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada and says this part of southern Ontario is expected to be a seven on the air quality index forecast on Friday, which is when a special air quality statement is issued.
"Similar to Thursday, we aren't necessarily expecting the air quality to be too detrimental relative to the way it has been earlier in the week. So seven might actually be on the high side," she said. "We might actually get more like a four or five possibly, which is a moderate risk, which would be great news if that does happen."
She said the smoke plume is currently situated over Toronto and much of southern Ontario, but over the weekend, that will shift slowly eastward.
"By Saturday, conditions are definitely going to be improving," Vaswani said. "With each passing day we're looking at improving conditions."
Late Sunday into early Monday, rain is also in the forecast, which will help with the smoke and also farmers and gardeners who have been eagerly anticipating precipitation.
"We'll get a decent dousing of rain come Monday and Tuesday so that's really good news," she said.
'Everybody's breathing it'
Everyone's feeling the impact of the smoke from the wildfires, Jeff Brook, an air quality expert and associate professor at University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition.
"The skies are white when they should be blue and this reminds us of many, many years ago when we used to have the hot, hazy days of summer. But they're here now because of forest fires," he said.
"Everybody's breathing it. It's something our bodies feel. You might not outwardly know it if we're a healthy person, but if you're suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, your symptoms are usually something that will tell you that something's not right in the air. You may need to use more of your medications and monitor the situation carefully."
WATCH | Wildfire smoke envelopes huge swaths of North America:
He said the smoke is a "major public health issue" and people can take precautions. The easiest one is to look up.
"Pay attention to the sky," he said. "If it's uncharacteristically hazy like we're seeing now, that's a telltale sign that it's polluted and those are times you should reduce your exercise and avoid exposure."
Brook also said he hopes the smoke moves out of the area soon, but it's also a reminder that "there is certainly lots to think about where the fires are going to be next because they're not going away."
If short of breath, stop outdoor activities
During these days of poor air quality, Environment Canada recommends the following:
- If you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing, severe coughing, dizziness or chest pains, stop outdoor activities and contact your health care provider.
- If you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms, stay inside.
- Keep your indoor air clean.
- Keep your doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable.
- Take a break from the smoke by temporarily relocating or finding a place in your community with clean, cool air such as a library, shopping mall or community centre.
- If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator-type mask that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and your face can help reduce your exposure to fine particles in smoke.
- Be sure to check on people in your care and those who may be more susceptible to smoke.
- Evacuate if told to do so.
- Review your wildfire smoke plan and make sure you have enough medical supplies if the smoke continues to be an issue.
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With files from Carmen Groleau