Special air quality statement for Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia
Wildfire smoke has caused air quality to deteriorate, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued special air quality statements covering Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia as a result of smoke from wildfires burning across western Canada.
Smoke is either causing or is expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, the weather office said.
High risk air quality is expected to persist into Friday evening, at which point northerly winds should improve conditions.
The weather office is urging people to consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events and to wear a well-fitting respirator-type mask, such as a NIOSH-certified N95, if it's necessary to spend time outdoors.
Mild and common symptoms of smoke exposure include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and mild coughs.
More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe coughs.
People who think they are experiencing a medical emergency should seek seek immediate medical assistance, Environment and Climate Change Canada said.
Those most likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution include people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors.
The weather office asked people to check on people in their care or who live nearby who might be more likely to be affected by the pollution.
It also encouraged people to protect their indoor air from wildfire smoke by using a clean, good-quality air filter with their ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
More than 200 wildfires are currently burning across Canada, according to data from provincial government information portals.
In Alberta, nearly half of the community of Chipewyan Lake has been destroyed, by fire.
More than 30,000 people in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been ordered to evacuate.
Evacuation orders are also in effect for parts of northwestern Ontario.