Demand for respirators, sprinklers on the rise in Manitoba as wildfires worsen air quality

CBC

28-05-2025

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As wildfires are ravaging the province, they are also impacting the air Manitobans breathe, and some are looking for ways to protect themselves.
Ian Birchall, a sales representative at ABC Fire and Safety Equipment Ltd., which sells fire, safety and first aid products in Winnipeg, says demand for their respirators has increased significantly since the wildfire season began in earnest earlier this month.
"We've sold pretty much out of all of our wildland [fire] equipment just due to the nature of the fires that are going on here in Manitoba. It's a very scary situation for our residents in Manitoba," he said.
Items like respirators have been in high demand, he said.
"Especially with the smoke that is going on in the province when they are in the smoke-filled areas like Lac du Bonnet or up north in Lynn Lake, they are using that quite a bit right now," says Birchall showing a range of masks in his shop.
Birchall says people are not just worried about their health, but also their property, leading to increased demand for fire suppression equipment, sprinkler kits and hoses.
"We have been seeing a lot of cabin owners coming and purchasing the Wildfire Protection Kit, which is otherwise usually used by fire departments," he said.
That kit is a sprinkler system, with equipment that can be mounted on a cabin's gable and eavestrough, to provide "360 degrees of protection around your property," he said.
"Usually every year the residents will stock up on PPE [personal protective equipment] for wildland fires for protection," said Birchall.
"This year has obviously been an exception because it's been very dry in the province. So we have noticed a significant increase in our sales with this equipment."
Birchall says he's been getting a lot of inquiries from cabin owners from the Bird River area, where a still out-of-control wildfire now covers more than 124,000 hectares, according to the province's latest fire report.
The fire near Lac du Bonnet, meanwhile, is now considered under control. That fire became deadly earlier this month, taking the lives of a couple who reportedly got trapped at a family home.
Smoke can have long-term effects
Smoke from wildfires is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in parts of Manitoba, prompting air quality alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Environment Canada meteorologist Justin Shelley says a lot of the northern portion of the province is under special air quality state statements, while an area in the southeast, from the Ontario border to Lake Winnipeg, is under air quality warnings.
Shelly urges people to check the air quality index before heading outdoors.
On Tuesday, the index was four in Winnipeg, indicating moderate risk, while it was 10+ in Flin Flon, indicating very high risk.
When the air quality is at its worst, people should take precautions and limit outdoor exposure, said Shelly.
"Consider reducing or rescheduling any strenuous outdoor activities, especially if you are experiencing symptoms like a cough or dizziness or nausea," he said.
"And you also want to monitor those who might be more at risk, so especially maybe elderly people or … younger people."
Warm and dry conditions are expected through this week, which will cause smoke to linger, Shelly said.
WATCH | Smoke raises health concerns in Manitoba:
Manitoba wildfires prompt some to seek protection from smoke
1 hour ago
Duration 2:11
Health experts also warn wildfire smoke can create health risks in both the short and long term. Christopher Pascoe, an associate professor in the University of Manitoba's physiology and pathophysiology department, says short-term effects may include breathlessness.
"So difficulty breathing, catching your breath and you may notice that you cough more, have more mucus. If you're somebody who has lung disease, asthma, COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], you may find that you need to use your medication more and that it's not as effective."
He adds people often report needing to go to the hospital more frequently to deal with conditions like asthma or COPD during periods of poor air quality.
The potential long-term effects of poor air quality can include worsening of conditions and lung disease, he said.
"That long-term exposure is related to these health complications like asthma, exacerbation of other diseases," said Pascoe.
"The biggest pollutant that we worry about at this point is something called particulate matter," he said. "That's the smoke or the ash in the air. And so when you see outside … it's hazy, you kind of want to stay inside, being a well-ventilated space."
When it comes to protection, he says for people who have allergies or asthma, or are prone to health risks, "the best thing to do is limit your time outside and wearing a well-fitting N95 mask to limit your exposure."