Air quality to get worse as smoke blows back in

By Medicine Hat News on August 23, 2018.

Air quality in Medicine Hat is expected to get dramatically worse today due to smoke from B.C. wildfires.

The Air Health Quality Index forecasts Medicine Hat to reach a maximum level of 9, high risk, on Thursday evening. On Thursday morning the index sits at 4, moderate risk. After rising on Thursday the maximum forecast has the risk falling back to 7 on Friday.

Environment Canada has not yet issued an air quality statement for the Medicine Hat-Bow-Island-Suffield and Cypress Hills Provincial Park-Foremost areas. When statements were issued last week they came with the following warnings:

Smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

Increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath may be experienced. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma particularly at risk.

The air quality statement advises those with difficulty breathing stay inside and find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated.

7
-6

Comments are closed.