Smokey Skies Bulletin - August 11, 2018

Date

The Regions of BC highlighted on the map are being impacted or are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours. The next bulletin update will be available August 12, 2018.

The bulletin can be accessed online at:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-quality/air-advisories.

Be informed

During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

Wildfire smoke is a natural par of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health.

People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.

During smoky conditions

Follow your common sense

  • Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes difficult or you feel unwell.
  • Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Carry any rescue medications with you at all times.
  • Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves follow the same advice.

Monitor your symptoms

  • Different people have different responses to smoke. Mild irritation and discomfort are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears.
  • People with asthma or other chronic illness should activate the personal care plans they have designed with their family physicians.
  • If you are unsure whether you need medical care, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
  • If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, or a severe cough, contact your health care provider, walk-in clinic, or emergency department.
  • If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

Tips to reduce your exposure

  • Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
  • Running a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can improve indoor air quality in the room where the device is located.
  • If you have a forced air heating/cooling system in your home, it may help to change the filter and set the fan to run continuously.
  • Reduce indoor air pollution sources such as smoking, burning incense, and frying foods.
  • Consider going to a library, community center, or shopping mall with cooler filtered air to get some relief from the smoke.
  • If travelling in a car with air conditioning, keep the windows up and the ventilation set to recirculate.
  • If you are very sensitive to smoke, consider moving to another location with cleaner air, but be aware that conditions can change rapidly.
  • Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.

More information

For general information about wildfire smoke and your health, contact HealthLink

BC:

Contact information

Media and public inquiries regarding air quality and this bulletin:
Gail Roth, Air Quality Meteorologist, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, 250-565-4210.

Media questions regarding health implications of wildfires:
First Nations Health Authority
Environmental Public Health Services or Main FNHA Line: 604-693-6500
After Hours: 1-844-666-0711
Email: Ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca
Media line: 604-831-4898

Fraser Health Authority
Media Line: 604-831-4898
Interior Health Authority
Media line: 1-844-469-7077
Email: media@interiorhealth.ca

Northern Health Authority
Media Line: 1-877-961-7724
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Tiffany Akins, Communications Leader: tiffany.akins@vch.ca
After-hours media line: 604-202-2012

Vancouver Island Health Authority
Meribeth Burton, Media Relations: 250-519-1815
After-hours media line: 250-716-7750

Regions included under this bulletin:

Elk Valley includes Elko, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford

East Kootenay (North) includes Edgwater, Inveremere, Canal Flats and Skookumchuck

East Kootenay (South) includes Kimberley, Cranbrook, Yahk, Moyie, Wasa Lake Provincial Park, Jaffray, Grasmere and Roosville

Yoho - Kootenay Park includes Yoho and Kootenay National Parks

East Columbia includes Golden

West Columbia includes Revelstoke

Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake includes Slocan, New Denver, Nakusp, and Fauquier

West Kootenay includes Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland

Kootenay Lake includes Creston and Kaslo

Cariboo (North) includes Quesnel, Wells and Bowron Lake Park

Cariboo (South) includes Williams Lake, Northern and Central sections of Wells Gray Park

Chilcotin includes Hansville, Alexis Creek, Chilanko Forks, Tatla Lake, Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake, and the southern half of Tweedsmuir Park

North Thompson Includes Barriere, Clearwater and Vavenby.

South Thompson Includes Kamloops, Rayleigh, Monte Creek, Cache Creek, Spences Bridge and Logan Lake.

100 Mile includes Hwy 97 from 108 Mile House to Clinton, Bridge Lake and Canim Lake.

Shuswap Includes Salmon Arm, Sicamous, and Chase.

Nicola Includes Merritt, Strump Lake, Pennask Lake, and Brookmere.

North Columbia includes Blue River and McMurphy

North Okanagan includes Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Lavington and Lumby

Boundary includes Grand Forks, Midway and Greenwood

Similkameen includes Princeton

Williston includes McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and Williston Lake

McGregor includes the northern end of the Robson Valley extending from Hansard to Dome Creek; extends north to Monkmon Park

Prince George includes the City of Prince George, Hwy 16 Vanderhoof to Upper Fraser, and Hwy 97 Hixon to the south end of McLeod Lake.

Yellowhead includes McBride and Valemount and all communities within the southern half of the Robson Valley extending from Urling to Valemount and the northern half of Mount Robson Park

Kinbasket includes Kinbasket reservoir south of Valemount

Dease Lake

Bulkely Valley and Lakes District (northwest) includes Smithers, Telkwa, Fort St James and Granisle

Bulkley Valley and Lakes District (southeast) includes Burns Lake

Inland Vancouver Island includes Lake Cowichan, Nahmint, Port Alberni, central portions of Strathcona Park and Schoen Lake Provincial Park

East Vancouver Island (south) includes Duncan, Crofton, Ladysmith, Cedar, and Nanaimo

Central Coast (inland sections) includes Bella Coola, Hagensborg, Firvale, and Stuie

Central Coast (coastal sections) includes Bella Bella, Ocean Falls, and extends south to Jackson Bay

Central Okanagan includes Kelowna, West Kelowna and Peachland

South Okanagan includes Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, Keremeos, Oliver and Osoyoos