Wildfires could lead to ‘chronic effects’
Calgary air quality expected to be affected by smoke from B.C. until end of week
CALGARY The smoke from the B.C. wildfires continues to blanket Calgary, with the air quality health index hitting high risk 10 on Thursday.
There’s a good chance the city won’t get any relief from the smoke until Sunday, before it returns again on Tuesday.
“It looks like, by Sunday, northerly winds will push the majority of the smoke down into the U.S. instead of across into Alberta,” said John Paul Cragg, Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist.
“But by Tuesday, zonal flow, which is from west to east, will set up again, so the smoke could be moving back into Alberta again.”
Naturally, much of Alberta is under a special air quality statement as the smoke continues to cause poor air quality and reduce visibility.
Events throughout the city continue to be cancelled, including the YMCA youth collection drive for the Calgary Food Bank. The Calgary United Soccer Association has cancelled all league games for the second day in a row and the city has closed all outdoor pools along with cancelling various programs.
The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer is still set to happen this weekend and all participants will receive an email about contingency plans.
There will be extra busses and sweep vehicles as a precaution and a medical team will bike alongside participants. The Country Thunder Music Festival will also continue as planned, with any updates or cancellations to be announced on social media.
As smoke continues to blanket the city, individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.
It’s still unclear what the longterm health effects could be as a result of low air quality from wildfires, according to respirologist Dr. Chris Carlsten, although it’s possible that it could impact both lung and cardiovascular health. But for now, Carlsten said his primary focus is on the short-term effects.
“I’m currently concerned about acute affects but concerned we’re creeping towards potentially more chronic effects,” he said. “We should be worried that the trend is going in the wrong direction. We’re having more high intensity fires and if this continues we’ll get more into that chronic health effects area of concern.”
Alberta Health Services spokesperson Bruce Conway said staff are working diligently to “maintain good air quality within AHS facilities for staff, patients and volunteers,” including hospitals across the city. Air filters are being changed, doors and windows are being kept closed, and staff have been advised to alert management to any specific concerns about air quality.
As of 5 a.m. on Thursday, Calgary hit its 212th smoky hour this year, keeping 2018 in third place for its most ever in a single year. Another 56 smoky hours would bump it up to second place, with 2017 staying strong as the smokiest year ever
We should be worried that the trend is going in the wrong direction.
recorded in Calgary, at 321 hours.
Meanwhile, Environment Canada says the high for Thursday is 26 C, with UV index 7, considered high. The heat is expected to continue into Friday, with an expected high of 28 C, before it cools down on the weekend.
According to Cragg, Alberta can expect to see reduced air quality until the fires in B.C. are put out. This might not be for a while, with 566 wildfires burning across B.C., which prompted the government to declare a provincial state of emergency on Wednesday.
“Whenever there are big fires in B.C. there’s a good chance of Alberta seeing smoke at times,” he said.