DRYDEN — Ongoing smoke from wildfires has caused expanded air quality alerts across much of Northwestern Ontario.
Environment Canada had a mixture of air quality warnings and special air quality statements in effect across most of the region as of Tuesday afternoon.
The more serious warnings were in effect for areas just north of Wabaseemoong up to Sandy Lake and east about as far as Mishkeegogamang and Wunnummin Lake. Red Lake and Ear Falls were also included in those warnings. Environment Canada also had warnings in effect for Peawanuck in the far north.
The national weather office also had air quality statements in effect for most of the region from Dryden and Eagle River east through the Lakehead, along the North Shore and as far as Manitouwadge and Hornepayne. The area covered by those alerts stretched as far north as Webequie and west through communities like Bearskin Lake and Sachigo Lake.
Environment Canada said the smoke is expected to remain in place for the next several days.
“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events,” the alerts said.
Environment Canada said people can experience milder symptoms like eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious symptoms could include wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough.
People who need to take extra precautions, Environment Canada said, include people 65 and older, those who are pregnant, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or a chronic health condition and people who work outdoors.
Residents should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. Indoor air can be protected by a clean and high-quality air filter in ventilation systems and/or portable air cleaners that can deal with fine particulate matter.
The Northwestern Health Unit had also issued an alert outlining similar concerns and solutions.
The ongoing smoke caused the hospital in Dryden to issue a “code grey” which sets several protocols in place to mitigate the effects of the wildfire smoke on indoor air quality.
