As smoke from Manitoba wildfires prompts air quality warnings in four provinces, one expert says increased awareness on the impacts is necessary. “One of the things that all of us need to do is be aware of the smoke and aware of risks of the smoke and aware of where they can get information on how the levels are going to be,” air quality expert Jeffrey Brook told CTV News Channel in an interview Saturday. “Often, that’s the air quality health index that they have to pay more and more attention to.” Increased awareness on the impacts of smoke is critical given the severity of the air quality in certain areas, he said. According to Environment Canada, there are currently 281 active air quality warnings across Canada. While the poorest air quality is seen in many parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, smoke from the wildfires is also currently affecting most of northern Ontario, as well as some parts of Quebec. “It’s extremely high levels of particulate matter, tiny particles that get deep and down to people’s lungs. They’re hazardous.” As a result of the smoke, individuals may experience symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, according to Environment Canada. In more serious cases, symptoms may include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. The agency is advising individuals to limit their time spent outdoors and to consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor activities. In Manitoba, there are currently 107 active fires across the province, prompting multiple evacuations, according to the province’s latest wildfire update. These active fires bring the summer’s total to 270 wildfires, to date. On Thursday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew placed the province under a second state of emergency this summer. The state of emergency remains in effect until August 9 and may be extended, according to the province. “This fire season, Manitoba is seeing over 10 times the number of hectares burning compared to the average fire season,” Kinew wrote in a press release. As wildfire smoke continues to impact many parts of Canada, Brook said Canadians might have to continue to become more aware of the impacts of wildfire smoke. “Things are getting drier and getting warmer,” he said. “As many people have said, this is kind of the new normal and we’re sort of in real time adapting to what our world looks like when it’s warmer and hotter and drier.”
