Air Quality Worries Continue, But Improvements Arrive Soon
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Canyon Fire prompts air quality alert in parts of Southern California
Aug. 9 (UPI) -- An air quality alert was issued for parts of Southern California because of the effects of the Canyon Fire, fueled by dry brush and extreme heat. But evacuation orders were canceled and shifted to warnings for thousands of residents in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, CalFire said Saturday. The wildfire had spread to 5,370 acres and was 48% contained, the state agency said Saturday afternoon. On Friday morning, it was 4,756 acres, but none contained. The fire ignited on Thursday afternoon in a remote area east of Lake Piru, north of Highway 126 and west of Castaic in Ventura County, and spread to Los Angeles County. The National Weather Service said the smoke was causing harmful air pollution in parts of Southern California through the weekend. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert on Friday night. The alert is in effect for the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, and the Inland Empire. It expires Sunday morning for the Santa Clarita Valley and 8 p.m. Saturday for everywhere else. "Even in areas far from fires or areas not covered by a smoke advisory, if you can smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, avoid or limit outdoor activities," the alert read. People with medical conditions are urged to stay inside with the windows closed. "Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing," the alert reads. "Everyone can be affected, but people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk." On Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized the use of federal funds to help California in battling the Canyon Fire. The state on Thursday sought the funds. "At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 5,118 homes in and around Hasley Canyon and Val Verde," FEMA said. "Mandatory evacuations were taking place for approximately 5,000 people. Evacuation warnings are in effect for another 11,000 people." FEMA grants provide funds for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. No injuries have been reported and no structures are threatened, CalFire said. Fighting the fire are 1,148 personnel, 45 engines, seven helicopters, three dozers and nine hand crews. A firefighter was injured in a rollover crash in a grassy area in the Romero Canyon. The victim was airlifted to a hospital but was alert. Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital "out of an abundance of caution," the L.A. Fire Department posted Friday on X. "Crews worked throughout the night to improve defensive positions and further secure the fire's perimeter," CalFire said. "Overnight fire activity was minimal as firefighters worked to continue strengthening existing control lines." Firefighters "will continue to enhance, monitor and patrol existing control lines ... while providing structure defense for residences in the affected areas," CalFire said. Temperatures will be in the mid-90s with relative humidity 19-24% and wind gusts up to 20 mph. Historically dry vegetation contributes to the ongoing potential for rapid fire growth and significant fire behavior," CalFire said. On Friday, firefighters dealt with gusty conditions. "This afternoon, we're starting to see the temperatures come back up, we're seeing winds start to pick up," Andrew Dowd with Ventura County Fire told KABC-TV. "There's still a risk here. Fire is still burning, and we're still going to be incredibly vigilant until we get this fire contained." Residents in the Hasley Canyon area of Castaic were thankful the wildfire didn't reach their homes as flames were visible, and some families didn't evacuate, instead opting to take care of their animals. "It's been a long night just watching the fire," Castaic resident Geri Aebersold told KABC-TV. "Just watching it coming up right there on that hill. A firefighter said, 'You're ok. We got this.'"
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Heat warnings issued for large sections of southern B.C.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for large portions of southwest B.C. as wildfire fighters expect challenging conditions to begin Sunday. As of Saturday afternoon, the heat warnings covered the inland and eastern sections of Vancouver Island, as well as the Howe Sound, Whistler and Pemberton areas in the Sea-to-Sky region and the Fraser Canyon, the South Okanagan, South Thompson and North Thompson areas in the southern Interior. Forecasters said they expect temperatures to stay elevated beyond 35 C in the Fraser Canyon, South Okanagan and South Thompson on Sunday and Monday, and the sections on the South Coast and North Thompson to see temperatures exceeding 30 C. The warm and drying trend could intensify wildfire activity, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service, with the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island in an area covered by a heat warning. On Saturday, officials said that fire activity overnight on the out-of-control blaze was minimal, but there could be increased smoke in the region as weather conditions shift and become hotter. "As temperatures continue to rise through the weekend, we can expect to see more smoke in the area as the fire finds unburned fuels to consume," said fire information officer Madison Dahl in a Saturday morning news conference. Environment Canada is advising anyone under a heat warning to take precautions, and check in on vulnerable neighbours who may need assistance. Dahl says the Wesley Ridge fire is currently burning over an area of 580 hectares on the north shore of Cameron Lake, approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo. Hundreds of people have been out of their homes for over a week due to the blaze, which is suspected to have been caused by human activity. While it isn't affecting Highway 4, the main east-west route on Vancouver Island, drivers have been asked to not stop along the route to take pictures of the fire. Dahl said firefighters largely observed that most of the fire was smouldering with no open flame, within the perimeter established by crews. "Crews and structure protection staff continue to patrol and fully extinguish remaining areas of heat and smoke near properties and infrastructure in the Little Qualicum River Village and Park area," the officer said. Most evacuation orders could be lifted Just under 300 properties are on evacuation order due to the blaze on Vancouver Island, which means residents have been told to leave immediately. The evacuation order also covers Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. A further 353 addresses are on evacuation alert, which means residents are expected to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Some of the residents under evacuation orders could be returning home on Monday, according to the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), who said the evacuation order could be downgraded for properties south of Warn Way. "It's approximately 39 or so properties [that] would remain on order," said Lisa Grant, the RDN's emergency operations director, in the news conference. "The remainder we are hoping to open up for a return." Grant said, however, that conditions could change quickly, and residents would be notified if the evacuation orders are downgraded on Monday.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dangerous heat and humidity build from Toronto to St. John's
A long-duration [spell of extreme heat and humidity]( will continue to blanket much of Eastern Canada into this upcoming week. Temperatures in the middle to upper 30s will combine with high humidity to lead to dangerous conditions for the next several days. Excess moisture in the atmosphere will keep nights muggy, preventing any meaningful relief from the heat of the day. Humid heat affects everyone. Sensitive groups are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, but even healthy folks are susceptible to heat exhaustion or worse in extreme heat. DON'T MISS: Temperatures stay hot into this upcoming week Widespread heat warnings are in effect from Ontario through Newfoundland. This includes cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Gander, and St. John's. A strong ridge of high pressure parking over Eastern Canada will lead to numerous days of high heat combined with excessive humidity, which could lead to feels-like values in the upper 30s to around 40 at times. Multiple cities—including Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal—are in the midst of a four- to five-day stretch of daytime highs at or above 30°C. Saturday marked the third day this year we've seen a high temperature at or above 30°C in St. John's, making for the highest number of 30-degree days ever recorded in a single year. This Saturday also featured Toronto's nineteenth day at or above 30°C so far this season, pushing the city past its average of 17 such days per year. MUST SEE: The extreme heat and lack of precipitation has allowed conditions to reach 'very high' to 'extreme' fire danger across much of Atlantic Canada. Widespread burn bans are in effect across all four provinces. Why humid heat is dangerous Sweat cools us off by wicking heat away from our skin as it evaporates. Humidity prevents our sweat from evaporating efficiently—the trapped heat causing our body temperature to rise. This can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. RELATED: Humidity also prevents nighttime lows from cooling off as much as normal, providing little to no relief from extreme daytime temperatures. Day after day of high heat and humidity take a toll on those living without air conditioning, folks who have chronic illnesses, and the elderly. Seek out air conditioning as much as possible, stick to the shade, stay well hydrated, and frequently check in with your vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours. Header image created using graphics and imagery from Canva. WATCH: Five tips to keep in mind during a heat wave
