Winnipeg is under an air quality warning as wind blows wildfire smoke toward the city, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says.
Southeast winds blow smoke from blazes are burning in northwestern Ontarioaccording to the yellow level warning. Smoke can cause poor air quality and reduced visibility at times.
“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,” he warns, adding that these risks intensify for infants and children, people who are 65 and older, and pregnant women.
Exposure to poor air quality can cause symptoms including eye, nose or throat irritation, a mild cough and headache, the ECCC said. Wheezing, chest pain and a severe cough were listed as possible signs of a more serious reaction.
Chris Pascoe, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba who researches lung diseases, said the smoke and smog Winnipeg is seeing this summer is not much different than what it experienced. last year, while parts of Manitoba faced intense wildfires.
“Most of what’s causing the problem right now is what we call particulate matter. These are the little pieces of soot and ash, if you will, that are suspended in the air,” he said.
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The smaller the particle, the easier it is for them to get into a person’s lungs and, potentially, into their circulatory system and bloodstream, Pascoe said.
“They’re very small, very fine particles and that’s what makes it look smoky. And if the sun was looking through, it would probably make the sky look yellow or orange,” he said.
“Smoke from wildfires tends to be much more immediate and acute, which means that high levels of this pollution come on days like today, they blow (and) it’s clear for a little bit. Then, they blow again.”
The risks of prolonged exposure to smoky, fire-affected air are currently unclear, Pascoe said.
The ECCC is advising residents to avoid releasing poor quality air by keeping doors and windows closed, although it notes that staying cool during extreme heat is also important. The weekend forecast for Winnipeg calls for sunny conditions and temperatures to reach 32 C on Sunday.
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