Where there’s smoke there are warnings.
Alberta’s medical officers sounded the alert that people with heart or lung problems could be affected by a wall of smoke drifting east from British Columbia forest fires. People with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema should remain indoors with windows closed, says an advisory from the province’s chief medical officer of health.
Even for the healthy, avoiding strenuous activity outdoors is a good idea, says Dr. Digby Horne, a medical officers of health for Alberta Health Services’ Central Zone.
“I think common sense would probably dictate that people don’t undertake heavy exercise in this type of atmosphere,” he said.
The effects can differ depending on the person, but a jogger, for instance, could see lung and running performance decrease or face eye and nose irritation.
“There’s lots of chemicals in smoke, formaldehydes and variants thereof, and particulate matter and carbon monoxide.”
Horne said while many with respiratory illnesses likely have a plan in place with their doctors when conditions worsen, there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce risks.
Inside homes, avoid adding other particulates to the air. Skipping vacuuming, limiting cooking and frying, and leaving candles unlit will help.
Smoking should also be avoided. “That’s just another source of pollution you don’t need, ever, but especially at times like this.”
So far, there has not been a lot of calls or traffic at health facilities. In B.C., where they have been dealing with the smoke longer, there was not a spike in admission to hospitals or emergency rooms, he said.
A pharmacist in downtown Red Deer said a handful of people have come in. “We have had a couple of people actually getting their puffers or inhalers,” said the pharmacist, who asked his name not be used because he was not an official company spokesman.
“Actually one lady had quite a bit of difficulty breathing. She had seen the doctor and had to get a prescription for some steroids for it.”
The smoky conditions also prompted Environment Canada to issue a special weather statement for the central and southern portions of the province.
“Due to little change in the upper level flow, intermittent poor visibilities due to smoke are expected to persist through Friday,” says the statement posted Thursday afternoon.
In Red Deer, a haze hung over the city all day, gradually getting thicker as the day wore on. Even inside buildings, a thin haze collected and a strong smell of smoke was everywhere.
Environment Canada meteorologist David Wray said expect the smoky conditions to last until Sunday, when a change in wind direction and showers will sweep away the stinky smoke.
In Edmonton Thursday afternoon, visibility was down to 800 metres as a blanket of smoke was blown west from a large number of forest fires burning in the interior of B.C. in the Williams Lake and Prince George areas. In Red Deer, the smoke wasn’t as thick and visibility was about three kilometres at 3 p.m. But by 6 p.m. it was down to 800 metres.
The smoke is being pushed by a fairly strong flow of wind almost directly west to east, said Wray.
“Smoke is getting caught into the stream and basically coming over the Rockies and coming down the mountains and affecting you guys and Edmonton and all places in between.
“The pattern doesn’t look to change significantly enough to late Saturday. Unfortunately, we may have to deal with it for another couple of days.”
Winds will change a little to the southwest on Saturday, offering some relief. But the big difference will be a low-pressure system moving into the area from the northwest on Sunday, which will bring showers throughout the day.
“That will go a long way to clearing the air. It’s going to last the day too, and that will definitely help.”
By Monday, it should be much clearer. However, there could be more smoke coming if a similar westerly flow pattern develops and the fires remain burning as they are now.
In Alix, Rod McDermand was just about to tee off at the local golf course late Thursday afternoon
“It is thick,” said the farmer and Lacombe County councillor. “When I look across the lake I can’t distinguish what’s water and what’s smoke. And it’s not a big lake,” he said.
The haze could provide a good excuse if the round doesn’t go well, he said with a laugh.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com