A screengrab of the Environment Canada alerts map is seen at 9:15 a.m. July 17. An air quality statement has been issued for the grey-shaded areas. --www.weather.gc.ca
Medicine Hat is under an air quality advisory this morning.
Smoke from wildfires raging in the B.C. Interior and other fires near Banff National Park began making its way into southeastern Alberta early Sunday evening, and Environment Canada has issued special air quality statements for all of southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.
At 8 a.m. the air quality health index was in the “low” level, rated at 3 out of 10. It is forecast to rise to 7, in the “high” level, on Monday before lessening Monday evening and into Tuesday.
People may experience increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath, the statement advises. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease are especially at risk. The statement encourage people who have pre-exisiting breathing conditions to stay inside. preferably somewhere cool and ventilated.
Environment Canada alerts will be updated as the situation improves or worsens.
Information on how to reduce your health risk and current and forecast air quality levels can be found at http://www.airhealth.ca.
