Poor air quality in Waterloo region and Guelph will continue into the weekend: Environment Canada
There's high levels of air pollution in Waterloo region and Wellington County as smoke plumes from wildfires burning in Quebec and northeastern Ontario continue to blow into the region, Environment Canada says.
Both the public and Catholic school boards in Waterloo region postponed their regional track and field events scheduled for Wednesday.
The public school board said it's also advised schools to keep windows and doors closed and continue running HEPA filters.
The smoke from the wildfires, which is blanketing the eastern half of Ontario and parts of the United States, will likely continue into the weekend, according to Environment Canada.
Local air quality is expected to worsen Thursday afternoon.
There are currently more than 100 fires burning in Quebec and more than 50 burning in northeastern Ontario.
A number of burn bans are in place across Waterloo region and Wellington County.
WHAT IS THE AIR QUALITY IN KITCHENER AND GUELPH?
Air quality in Guelph deteriorated into Environment Canada’s “high risk” zone around mid-day Wednesday, registering a level 7 on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
In Kitchener, the day's worst air pollution was also seen between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., but only reached a level 6, or "moderate risk."
Air quality is expected to stay at around a level 6 in both municipalities until about 9 p.m. Wednesday when it’s forecast to improve slightly to a level 5.
The view from the CTV News Kitchener tower on Tuesday, June 6 shows a haze over the skyline in Waterloo region as wildfires burn in northeastern Ontario and Quebec. (CTV)
Environment Canada says air pollution in Kitchener and Guelph could rise to a level 8 Thursday afternoon.
On Tuesday, the AQHI briefly reached a level 8 in Kitchener around 4 p.m. before slowly dropping through overnight and into Wednesday.
STAYING SAFE IN SMOKY CONDITIONS
Seniors, young children, people who are pregnant and anyone with lung disease, asthma or heart disease should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, Environment Canada says.
As long as the air quality remains in the moderate risk zone, the general population may continue with those activities, but should stop if symptoms like coughing and throat irritation develop.
Hazy smoke hovering over Puslinch Lake on June 6, 2023. (Submitted)
“Stop outdoor activities and contact your health care provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains. Stay inside if you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms,” Environment Canada’s special air quality statement for the region says.
Parents like Sarah Leighton were keeping their kids inside on Wednesday, opting instead for an indoor playground at Play a Latte in Kitchener.
“I have two kids that have asthma, and then I'm pregnant, and my 9 month old is susceptible to everything, so this is the safest space to come," Leighton told CTV Kitchener.
The local business is offering a 20 per cent discount on indoor playdates until June 17.
“I figured it's probably not good for kids, and we have the indoor space available, so I figured why not create a discount, make it a little easier for parents to come in and play," said Play a Latte owner Ronak Patel.
Haze from wildfires burning in northeastern Ontario and Quebec can be seen in Waterloo on June 6, 2023. (Alison Sandstrom/CTV News)
Environment Canada advises keeping indoor air clean by closing doors and windows, as long as it’s not too hot inside the home. An air purifier with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can also be used to filter wildfire smoke.
The weather agency says if you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask, like an N95, can help reduce your risk of exposure to the fine particles in smoke.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.