Air quality in Windsor-Essex could dip overnight as wildfire smoke arrives: Alert

Canada's weather agency is urging local residents to limit time outdoors tonight as wildfire smoke potentially moves into the area and air quality drops. 

Environment Canada on Friday afternoon issued a special air quality statement for Windsor, Leamington and Essex County saying that the smoke "is expected to affect the area late this evening into the overnight," but should be gone by Saturday morning.

Though the statement didn't directly identify the wildfires in question, massive blazes are currently raging west in the prairies, prompting premiers in two provinces to declare states of emergency this week.

In the local statement, Environment Canada says the smoke can cause health problems, so residents should consider cancelling or limiting sports and other outdoor events. 

"You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough," the statement says. "More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough."

Anyone who thinks they're experiencing a medical emergency should immediately seek medical help, the statement adds. 

Seniors, pregnant people, young kids, people with illnesses or chronic conditions, and those who work outdoors are at higher risk, the statement says. Anyone who must go outside should wear a high-quality respirator-type mask. 

"When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible," Environment Canada says, adding that good, clean ventilation system filters and portable air purifiers can help protect the air inside. 

"Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution," the statement says.

Chatham-Kent issued a similar warning on Friday evening. The smoke is expected to move out of the area by morning. 

Two years ago, Canada experienced a record-number of wildfires that poured smoke across the country, and even south into major U.S. cities.

Some of those fires produced hazy skies in southwestern Ontario at the time, triggering similar air quality alerts.