Hamilton blanketed in smoky haze from wildfires as air quality worsens

Parts ofHamilton areblanketed in thick smoke from out-of-controlwildfires in Quebec,polluting the air and posing a high health risk to residents, according to Environment Canada.

The federal agency issued a special air quality statement Tuesday afternoonurging residents to avoid outdoor activities and close windows and doors.

"Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone's health even at low concentrations," Environment Canada said in the statement. "Continue to take actions to protect your health and reduce exposure to smoke."

The agency said people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people and those who work outside are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects. People shouldstop or reduce their activity level if they're feeling unwell.

Similar alerts were issued for Burlington, Brantford and the Niagara Region.

Ontario's air quality health index scored Hamilton Mountain and Hamilton West at a level 10, out of 10,and "high risk," a scoreamong the worstin the province Tuesday.

The downtown area scored an 8 out of 10.

The smell of smoke hung in the air outside CBC Hamilton on James Street North.

Some activities across the city are were cancelled for Tuesday evening, including games with the Mount HamiltonYouth Soccer Club and Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer.

Environment Canada said the "widespread smoke" was expected to continue Wednesday.

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board said Tuesday it would be keeping students indoors on Wednesday "as a precaution" and that some outdoor events, such as track and field, were postponed.

Finding 'clean' air

In addition to keeping doors and windows closed, Environment Canada said to keep indoor air clean, if possible by using "an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter in a room where you spend a lot of time."

It also suggested to take breaks from the smoke by finding a space with "clean, cool air" such as a library or shopping mall.

"If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke."

WATCH | Yan Boulanger of Natural Resources Canada and others explain why there are so many out-of-control wildfires:

What's behind Quebec's 'unprecedented' forest fire season?

1 year ago

Duration 2:01

CBC's Steve Rukavina explains why so many fires are burning, many out of control, in the province this spring.