Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement (SAQS) for parts of southwestern Ontario, including London and Middlesex County. Smoke from forest fires over northern Ontario has moved into the area, causing the air quality to deteriorate.
SAQS are issued when the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) has the potential to reach the high-risk category (AQHI between 7 and 10). Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. In our region, air quality is expected to reach the high-risk category this afternoon before improving to low-risk levels by Friday.
As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. You may experience mild symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.
To protect yourself against the combined health risks from wildfire smoke, consider:
- Reducing outdoor activities if you have lung disease, such as asthma or heart disease; or if you are an older adult, young child, or are pregnant.
- Going indoors if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing including asthma attacks, severe cough, dizziness or chest pain.
- Taking a break from activities if you do not have access to a space with proper ventilation or move to a public space such as a library, shopping mall or community centre.
- Checking in on people who may be more susceptible to bad air quality.
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Listening to your body and reducing or stopping activities if you experience breathing difficulties or other symptoms.
- Contacting your healthcare provider if you have symptoms and they do not improve.
- Being aware of your mental health. Feeling anxious or isolated during an event such as this is normal.
For more information about the Air Quality Health Index, visit Air Quality Health Index - Canada.ca and Understanding Air Quality Health Index messages - Canada.ca
For a list of London Public Library locations, where residents can seek filtered air visit: https://www.lpl.ca/using-library/hours-locations
For a list of Middlesex County Libraries, where residents can seek filtered air, visit: https://library.middlesex.ca/Locations.