Wildfire smoke to impact air quality in Hamilton area Thursday into Friday

CBC

a day ago

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Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford and surrounding areas are expected to see smoke from wildfires in Western Canada impact the air Thursday night into Friday morning, says Environment Canada.
The weather agency issued a special air quality statement, warning that wildfire smoke "is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.
"As smoke levels increase, health risks increase," read the statement. "Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events."
Mild symptoms like headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation, or mild cough are common, said Environment Canada, but "more serious" and "less common" symptoms like wheezing, chest pain and severe cough are also possible.
The people more likely to be impacted are those "aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors," it added.
"If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask ... can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke."
How this week compares to 2023 levels
This week in 2023, Hamilton was also seeing air quality concerns due to wildfire smoke.
Then, parts of Hamilton reached a 10 on Environment Canada's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), indicating high risk. The rating was among some of the worst in the province.
This week, on Thursday afternoon, Hamilton had an air quality health risk index of 4 or moderate. That number is expected to rise to 7 — high risk — on Thursday night and into Friday morning.
The weather agency recommends people keep their windows and doors closed.
Hamilton is one of many communities impacted by smoke this week. Wildfires continue to rage in Western Canada, and 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.
Exposure to wildfire smoke has been found to cause early death and respiratory issues, says a 2024 report from Health Canada.
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.