Environment Canada warns of ‘poor air quality’ in Calgary

Wildfire smoke has reduced air quality in Calgary down to dangerous levels. Mason DePatie reports.

Wildfire smoke has created hazardous conditions in Calgary, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to issue an air quality warning for the city.

The agency issued the alert at 4:05 a.m. when the Air Quality Health Index was 10+, or very high risk.

Under these conditions, ECCC says “everyone’s health is at risk.”

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“Limit time outdoors. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events,” ECCC wrote online.

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

“If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.”

Calgarians out and about

For course officials say at Fox Hollow Golf Course, the smoky air meant the tee-sheet saw more openings on Wednesday.

“We learn of a lot of asthma conditions everybody lets us know why they’re cancelling. We don’t really expect anybody to play if they are going to be affected long term or short term by the smoke,” said Jon Fry, assistant golf pro at Fox Hollow Golf Course.

He says they expect to see severe weather including rain, lightning and smoke this time of year.

Vision concerns

Some optometrists say everyone’s eyesight can also be at risk.

“Its dry (in Alberta) to start with, unfortunately smoke just makes it that much worse,” said Dr. Cristy Franco, president-elect, Alberta Association of Optometrists. “So we end up with the red the gritty the itchy the irritated the dry ugh kind of feeling,”

She says inflammation from dry eyes can be serious and encourages anyone who is concerned to seek an emergency appointment with an optometrist, which is covered by public healthcare.

How to protect yourself

The ECCC also said residents should close windows and doors while they are indoors and consider changing the filter on their ventilation system.

If anyone needs to be outside, ECCC recommends using a properly fitted respirator type mask, such as a NIOSH-certified N95 mask that can protect from fine particles in the air.

ECCC advises residents to check on anyone else who may be more susceptible to smoke.

“People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including 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, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.”