Few smokes cases reported to ER

If smoke is taking a toll on people’s health, they’re not going to the local emergency department to complain about.

“At this time, we are not seeing a significant increase in visits to Penticton Regional Hospital related to wildfire smoke,” Interior Health said in a statement Monday.

The agency was unable to provide statistics to back up staff’s anecdotal observations.

Interior Health nonetheless warned people – particularly the very young and old, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions – to protect themselves during times of poor air quality by staying indoors and monitoring their symptoms.

Although air quality improved somewhat early this week, it’s expected to deteriorate again.

“Recent north-easterly winds aloft have provided air quality improvements to Interior communities while most Coastal communities have seen an increase in wildfire smoke,” Environment Canada said in a special air quality statement Tuesday.

“Winds are expected to change to a westerly direction beginning Wednesday which will have the opposite effect; Coastal communities will see a gradual improvement in air quality as Pacific air moves onshore while Interior communities will likely see a deterioration in air quality from the numerous wildfires that continue to burn.”