ATHABASCA — Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning for the areas of Athabasca, Barrhead, and Westlock due to high amounts of wildfire smoke in the air.
The alert came into effect late Tuesday night, and was updated in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 14. Air quality index values for Athabasca as of Wednesday late morning is at 10, a high health risk.
Barrhead’s air quality current sits at three, a low health risk, while Westlock’s air quality index sits in between, with a value of six, a moderate health risk. Air quality and visibility levels are subject to change from hour to hour as conditions fluctuate.
Residents in areas impacted by the air quality warning, which stretches the entire northern part of the province to below Edmonton, are encouraged to limit time outdoors, check in with neighbours and family members, and wear respirator masks if time outside if necessary.
Poor air quality can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as more serious symptoms such as chest pains or severe cough.
In a wildfire update released yesterday afternoon, the provincial government noted 115 wildfires are active in Alberta’s Forest Protection Area. Twelve of these fires are deemed out of control, with 45 held and 58 under control.
Twenty-two fires are burning in the Fort McMurray Forest Protection area, and 13 are active in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.
