Special Air Quality Statement issued for North Coast - Coastal sections

Public Air Quality alerts have been issued for much of British Columbia

British Columbia's summer long battle with forest fires in the Cariboo is having an effect on air quality in many areas of the province and today, the North Coast receives its first advisory on air conditions related to smoky skies.

In a Special Air Quality Statement issued early this morning, The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in collaboration with Northern Health Authority added the North Coast to their Smokey Skies Bulletin.

Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change. 

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways. 

Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease. 

 This bulletin will remain in effect until further notice.

The notice from Environment Canada also outlines some of the risk factors that those with health conditions should be aware of, you can review the full Statement below or from this link.

Environment Canada, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and
Northern Health issued a Special Air Quality statement for the North Coast early Thursday morning
(click to expand)

For more items related to Northern Health see our archive page here, other notes related to weather events can be found on on Weather archive.

Some background on the ongoing efforts with the wildfires can be reviewed here.