Delayed pollen season hits allergy sufferers hard
A warmer-than-usual start to spring has caused pollen levels to rise significantly across British Columbia. As Sohrab Sandhu reports, seasonal allergies are hitting some residents harder than ever.
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CTV News
29 minutes ago
- CTV News
North Bay fire crews save pets in Monday morning fire
Two pets were rescued from a North Bay kitchen fire Monday morning after the dog reportedly jumped on the stove. The owner was not home during the incident. Two pets were rescued from a North Bay kitchen fire Monday morning after the dog reportedly jumped on the stove. The owner was not home during the incident. Pets rescued after dog believed to have triggered a kitchen fire in North Bay North Bay Fire and Emergency Services responded to a kitchen fire at a Main Street West home early Wednesday morning after a neighbour reported smoke coming from the residence. Zoom Fire fighter crews at the scene of a kitchen fire on June 2, 2025. (Supplied/North Bay Fire and Emergency Services) Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after 8:30 a.m. to find flames and smoke visible from the kitchen. Crews launched an interior attack and conducted searches, rescuing the family dog and cat. Oxygen given to pets A pair of firefighters giving two household pets oxygen on June 2, 2025. (Supplied/North Bay Fire and Emergency Services) Both pets were given oxygen and are expected to recover. The fire was extinguished less than 30 minutes later. Authorities have confirmed that the homeowner was not present at the time of the fire – a neighbour, alerted by the home's working smoke alarm, noticed smoke and called 911. Early detection helped prevent significant damage. Investigators believe the fire started when the family dog jumped onto the stove, accidentally turning on a burner and igniting items left on the stovetop. A damage estimate has not yet been determined. This marks the second kitchen fire in less than a week in North Bay. Fire officials urged residents to take precautions, including keeping stovetops clear of combustibles, using stove knob covers, and ensuring smoke alarms are functional. 'We're sharing this message because this is a real risk and these fires are preventable,' said Fire Chief Jason Whiteley. 'Help us keep your home and loved ones safe by taking simple, proactive steps.'
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Northwestern Ontario wildfires force First Nation to evacuated to Simcoe County
Barrie is preparing to host 400 evacuees from Webequie First Nation due to worsening wildfires, with supports coordinated by an Indigenous emergency response centre. The city says it can accommodate up to 3,000 evacuees if needed.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Here's where wildfire smoke is spreading in Canada and the U.S.
Social Sharing As wildfires continue to rage in Western Canada, communities in affected areas and surrounding provinces have been blanketed by thick plumes of smoke, prompting air quality alerts extending into parts of the United States this week. Smoke conditions in some parts of the U.S. Midwest have become so bad that the air quality has been categorized as "hazardous." Exposure to wildfire smoke has been found to cause early death and respiratory issues, says a 2024 report from Health Canada. Which provinces have been affected so far? Air quality warnings have been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario. Fifty-three communities in southeastern Manitoba, for example, have received alerts about wildfire smoke causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. The warnings stated that conditions in some Manitoba regions are improving as the smoke drifts eastward and away from the affected communities, but it is expected to linger in areas like Flin Flon and Cross Lake, where local wildfires are still evading control. Communities in northern Saskatchewan, such as La Ronge, have also been under air quality warnings for the past several days. While La Ronge is still on standby for evacuation orders, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band opened a fresh air shelter inside the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre to provide some relief for those impacted by the heavy smoke. A number of special air quality statements were also issued for more than a dozen communities in northwestern Ontario early Monday morning. The statements warned that wildfire smoke was expected to remain in the area for the next several days. What parts of the U.S. will be impacted? Over the weekend, smoke drifted toward the Upper Midwest in the U.S., impacting northwestern Wisconsin, eastern Nebraska, northeastern North Dakota and most of Minnesota. A statewide air quality alert has been issued for Minnesota until Wednesday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The alert states that the smoke will likely reach northwest and north-central Minnesota by Monday evening, following behind a cold front that's moving southeast. The Air Quality Index values used in the U.S. are expected to reach the "hazardous" category in northwestern Minnesota. At that level, the public is advised to avoid physical activity outdoors, and high-risk groups — including those with lung and heart disease, seniors and young children — should remain indoors. The alert warns residents in northwestern Minnesota that they can also expect mild ashfall and reduced visibility. Where is the smoke headed? The smoke is expected to drift southeast in the coming days, according to BlueSky Canada's smoke forecast, which combines Alberta and British Columbia's forest fire data with weather forecast models to predict smoke concentrations. How bad is the air quality? Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values — the scale used in Canada to relate air quality to health — were at seven in Flin Flon on Monday evening, putting it in the "moderate" health risk category. An air quality warning for Flin Flon issued on Monday morning stated: "During heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status." The scale comprises four categories, ranging from "low" health risk to "very high." The AQHI values are grouped into these categories, with any value from one to three deemed a low health risk to the general public and a value of 10 or more posing a very high risk. In Winnipeg, the AQHI was at four, posing a "moderate" health risk. In Saskatchewan, most regions were observed to have AQHI values at "low risk" on Monday evening. Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie in Alberta were at seven and eight, respectively, putting them in the "high risk" category. Air quality can vary from hour to hour, and smoke conditions can change over short distances, an air quality statement for Grand Rapids and Easterville in Manitoba stated. Who will be most affected? According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the people who are at the highest risk of facing health impacts due to low air quality caused by wildfire smoke include: Seniors. Young children. Pregnant women. People who work outdoors. People involved in strenuous outdoor activities. People with chronic health conditions, such as: Cancer. Diabetes. Lung or heart conditions, including asthma. Mental illness. When AQHI values are at "moderate" to "very high risk" levels, those who are at higher risk are advised to reduce or completely avoid strenuous outdoor activities entirely. What are long-term effects of wildfire smoke exposure? In a fact sheet about the health effects of wildfire smoke, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control stated that smoky air can increase the risk of ear infections in children and pneumonia COVID-19. The centre lists portable air cleaners with HEPA filters as a way to remove smoke particles from indoor air. It also recommends keeping car windows closed when driving and air conditioners turned on to limit letting in outside air as much as possible. According to a 2024 report by Health Canada's Water and Air Quality Bureau, there was "strong and consistent evidence" that wildfire smoke exposure can cause "premature mortality" and respiratory issues.
