Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special air quality statement for all of southern Alberta due to wildfire smoke, September 5, 2023. (Photo: Kevinbrine | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Special air quality statement for all of southern Alberta due to wildfire smoke

Sep 5, 2023 | 5:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is asking the public to limit their time outdoors.

The agency issued a special air quality statement for all of southern Alberta and most of the central region just after midnight on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, due to wildfire smoke.

As of 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the air quality health index in Lethbridge is rated “7,” which is considered high risk.

According to an advisory from ECCC, “People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”

The public is advised to do what they can to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke, as the weather forecaster said it can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations.

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Some tips include staying indoors whenever possible, keeping your doors and windows closed, and ensuring that air filters and kept clean.

Signs of complications due to the exposure of smoke include shortness of breath, wheezing, severe cough, dizziness, and chest pains.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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