Wildfire Smoke Advisory

NANAIMO - The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Health Authority has issued a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for northern, central and east coast Vancouver Island because of forest fire smoke that is affecting some areas.  Communities affected include the Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Port Alice.  Weather conditions are forcing smoke from wildfires in the interior of British Columbia to the coast, producing smoky skies throughout the South Coast Region. Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.  This situation is expected to persist until weather conditions change.

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. 

Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease.

People with heart or lung conditions should reduce their levels of activity while air quality is poor. These individuals should watch for worsening of their symptoms. If this happens, they should reduce their exposure to the smoke and contact their health care provider, walk-in clinic or emergency department for advice.  To speak to someone immediately about your health concerns, contact HealthLink BC, available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp.

Forecast weather conditions will continue to bring smoke to the area for the next few days.

Tips to reduce your personal health risk:

• People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure. If any symptoms are noted, affected individuals should take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke and if necessary see their physician. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk-in clinic or emergency department depending on severity of symptoms.
• Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.
• Consider visiting a location like a shopping mall with cooler filtered air. Keep in mind that staying indoors may help you stay cool and provide some relief from the smoke, however many air conditioning systems do not filter the air or improve indoor air quality.
• Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking or burning other materials.
• You may be able to reduce your exposure to smoke by moving to cleaner air. Conditions can vary dramatically by area and elevation.
• Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.
• Pay attention to local air quality reports; air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.
• Commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.
• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.
• For general information about smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp.
• Real-time air quality information in B.C. is available at http://www.bcairquality.ca.

Food safety and water quality tips:

• During a forest fire, it's also important to be aware of health risks associated with food safety in power outages and water quality.
• Interior Health's website contains helpful information and other resources related to forest fire smoke exposure / air quality, as well as food safety when the power is out and ensuring your drinking water is safe.
• Visit http://www.interiorhealth.ca, click on the Health & Safety tab at the top of the page, then follow the links for Emergency Information > Forest Fires.

Contact: Earle Plain, Air Quality Meteorologist, Ministry of Environment
Phone: (250) 751-3171

Contact: Charmaine Enns, Vancouver Island Health Authority
Phone: (250) 331-8592