Widespread smoke prompts special air quality statement for Windsor-Essex
Lingering smoke from various wildfires across the country has worsened Windsor’s air quality health index to eight.
Environment Canada and Climate Change issued a special air quality statement for the region Wednesday morning.
It said high levels of air pollution have developed due to smoke from forest fires and that smoke plumes from fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario have resulted in deteriorated air quality.
The agency said poor air quality will persist into the weekend and urges people to reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, saying children and the elderly should also take it easy.
Both the public and catholic school boards in Windsor-Essex have shared the air quality advisory with all principals, cautioning them about strenuous outdoor activity, advising to stop any outdoor activities if someone in their care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing, severe coughing, dizziness or chest pains.'
Sunset in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, June , 2023. (Source: Lira Sykja Okaj)
Conditions may vary
Environment and Climate Change Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Trudy Kidd said when it comes to forest fire smoke, conditions can be variable hour to hour.
“If you have a break in air quality and it improves and you're comfortable with it, then you can go outside,” said Kidd. “But just know that if it spikes and you're smelling smoke, any amount of wildfire smoke can be hazardous for your health.”
Kidd explained widespread smoke warnings are not common in Windsor-Essex, suggesting this may be a new experience for many. Kidd told CTV News the special air quality statement contains a link that can also be used guide for people in taking care of stress, anxiety and depression.
“I think it's also important to check on your loved ones,” Kidd said. “Check on your friends and family and your neighbours. Make sure they're doing okay, make sure they have what they need. Make sure they're able to take care of themselves and make good choices for their own bodies.”
Kidd added, “To get better air quality, we need a change in the wind direction so that our source is from a less polluted place. It looks like we'll get our breath of fresh air this weekend when a low pressure system enters Southern Ontario. I think we're looking at Saturday for Windsor so fingers crossed.”
WECHU statement
Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, issued a statement on Wednesday:
“With Environment Canada issuing a Special Air Quality Statement for our region due to smoke from wildfires, I want to remind residents of Windsor and Essex County that wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations,” he said.
WECHU is recommending that individuals continue to take action to reduce the risk of exposure to wildfire smoke:
- People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
- Stop outdoor activities and contact your health care provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness, or chest pains.
- Keep indoor air clean by keeping doors and windows closed.
- Consider using a well-fitted respirator type mask if you are required to work or spend long periods of time outdoors.
- If you have an HVAC system in your home, use the highest rated MERV filter for your system.
- Use an air purifier if available, in rooms in which you spend a lot of time (avoid air purifiers that produce ozone).
- If necessary, take a break from exposure to smoke by temporarily relocating or finding a community location with clean, cool air such as a library, shopping mall, or community centre.
- Be aware of your mental health. If you experience any feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, contact your mental health care provider for advice or visit https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA.
- Be sure to check on friends and family members, especially those who may be more susceptible to smoke.
WECHU says it will continue to work with provincial partners to monitor our local air quality and will communicate any changes to these recommendations as the situation dictates.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
BREAKING Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
Plane overshoots runway at airport in St. John's, N.L., no injuries reported
Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are headed to St. John's, N.L., after a plane overshot a runway at the city's airport this afternoon.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confirms his party will support the Liberals' federal budget
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party will support the federal budget, ending any speculation that the party could pull out of its deal with the minority Liberal government.
Dental care program accepting claims for 1 million seniors
Citizens' Services Minister Terry Beech says 1,200 seniors have already visited a dentist and had their claims processed by the federal government's new dental care plan.