For the second time in a week, the Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority have issued a smoky skies advisory for the southern areas of the Kootenay and Boundary regions.
“In addition to local smoke from forest fires that continue to burn in the regions, those areas are being affected by transboundary smoke from forest fires south of the border,” said the advisory. “Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.”
In addition to the Parker Ridge fire just south of the Canada-U.S. border and the Mount Midgely fire northwest of Creston, smoke from a controlled burn yesterday to prevent the Parker Ridge fire from spreading has also been visible in Creston. With today’s smoke, a dusting of ash (photo below) can also be seen around town.
The advisory recommends that residents avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
“If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways,” it said. “Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease.”
The advisory, made at 9 a.m., is in effect until further notice.
General information about smoke and your health is available by calling HealthLink BC toll-free at 811 or visiting www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp; real-time air quality information is available at www.bcairquality.ca; for health tipe, visit www.interiorhealth.ca, click on the Your Environment tab, then Emergency Information > Forest Fire, and under the “During” tab, scroll to Your health and living with smoky skies.
