Special air quality advisory in effect as thick smoke drifts into Edmonton area

A special air quality advisory is in effect for the Edmonton area, as smoke drifting over from B.C. wildfires is expected to blanket the city in the thickest haze yet this year.

The Air Quality Health Index will reach level 10 on Wednesday in Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park, Environment Canada says.

This "high risk" level can result in some people experiencing coughing, throat irritation, headaches and shortness of breath.

• Air quality wavers in Edmonton area as B.C. fires rage on
• Air quality advisory issued for Edmonton area as smoke from B.C. wildfires drifts east

Wildfires in B.C. are generating massive amounts of smoke in Western Canada, but a cold front has so far pushed much of the smoke out of Alberta.

The smoke will begin crossing the Rocky Mountains again Tuesday night.

It's not yet known where smoke will be thickest on Wednesday, but current data shows the the thickest smoke and poorest air quality will likely be around Hinton, Red Deer and Edmonton.

Environment Canada meteorologist Stuart MacKaysays data points to a heavy day of smoke Wednesday in the central Alberta region, but it's tough to tell just how bad it'll be.

Smoke was very noticeable in Edmonton on Sunday, when the Air Quality Health Indexreached level 7 and visibility was just over three kilometres.

At a level 10, visibility would be less than two kilometres, MacKay said.

"The smoke, when it comes across the mountains, is going to be elevated. It'llbeuparound 10,000,12,000 feet,"MacKay said.

"During the day, with daytime heating, we get mixing. So will the smoke mix down, will it disperse, where will it mix down? These are all questions thatsortof remain unanswered until it actually happens."

'Air affects all of us'

Children, seniors and those with lung and cardiovascular diseases are especially at risk during times of poor air quality.

Environment Canada says wearing a mask is not the best way to protect yourself from the smokeand can also make breathing more difficult, Environment Canada says.

Dr. Chris Sikora,Alberta Health Services' medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone, is encouraging people to monitor the air quality closely over the next couple of days.

Edmontonians can expect to see haze in the air and may be able to smell or taste smoke, Sikoratold a news conference Tuesday.

When the Air Quality Health Index reaches seven or higher, people at risk need to take extra precautions, he said.

"For our at-risk population, we do recommend that people take it easy," Sikora said. "Consider rescheduling your activities, stay indoors if at all possible and try to relax."

He said the poor air quality could potentially affect emergency rooms, and people may need to adjust medications based on their physician's directions.

"Monitor your symptoms and those of your loved ones carefully," he said.

"Just be aware of what the outdoor environment is like. Air affects all of us."

Summer day camps getting prepared

Some summer camps for kids in Edmonton and area are getting ready for potentially smoky skies.

The StrathconaWilderness Centre near Sherwood Park holds camps each day for up to 150 kids from ages three to 15.

Air quality is constantly being monitored and the campers will be taken inside for the day if necessary, saidAdam Binder,outdoor recreation programmer for the wilderness centre.

"We haven't ever had to move to a full day inside. Even if it's raining or bad conditions, we'll go outside in the rain and stuff like that, so if they do move indoors, it will be a longer day," Binder said.

"I'm sure the kids would get a little anxious indoors but we do what we need to do."