Air quality concerns in Calgary due to wildfire smoke from B.C., California
The decreasing air quality in southern Alberta can affect people with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Wildfires in B.C. and California are prompting air quality concerns for millions of people and officials are warning that individuals with certain pre-existing conditions in southern Alberta could be affected.
According to Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), Calgary has fluctuated between a low to moderate risk. This means that people with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and conditions could be affected by the decreasing air quality and that strenuous outdoor activities should be reduced.
“The AQHI is calculated based on the relative risks of a combination of common air pollutants that are known to harm human health. These pollutants are ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide,” states Environment Canada.
Air pollution and low air quality can worsen chronic conditions and it is important that people at risk monitor for symptoms of discomfort, such as coughing or throat irritation. Both Calgary and Medicine Hat will see a moderate risk on Saturday while the rest of Alberta will see a low risk.
A thunderstorm tracks through the smoky sunset in southern Alberta on August 20, 2020. Credit: Kyle Brittain
“For the most part, the air quality in Alberta has been low risk, but we are closely watching B.C., as fires currently burning across the Interior could change as we head into the weekend,” says The Weather Network meteorologist Nadine Hinds-Powell.
“Gusty winds out of the south on Friday threaten to spread the flames to surrounding areas. In addition, west to southwesterly winds aloft could push the smoke into Alberta over the next couple of days. No significant rainfall is expected across the B.C. Interior to assist the firefighters, and the fire danger rating remains high not only in B.C. but across southern Alberta as well.”
Several social media users have shared images of sunsets in southern Alberta since the wildfire smoke began tracking in. The purple tint in these sunsets comes from the wildfire smoke creating a scattering effect in the sky, which is apparent as the Sun begins to set.
