(Alberta Agriculture and Forestry)

By rdnewsNOW staff

wildfire smoke

Special air quality statement for Red Deer and area

May 29, 2019 | 4:44 PM

Smoke drifting south from the wildfires raging in northern Alberta has led to Environment Canada issuing a special air quality statement for the Red Deer – Ponoka – Innisfail – Stettler region.

High levels of air pollution have developed in the area, Environment Canada says.

A special air quality statement is in place due to high levels of air pollution. Hot and sunny conditions have resulted in increasing ground-level ozone concentrations. High risk Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values are expected to persist for a few hours.

Smoke is expected to move back north by Friday morning as the flow shifts to southeasterly.

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People with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits.

If you are experiencing symptoms, such as coughing or throat irritation, consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities until the special air quality statement is lifted. Exposure to air pollution is particularly a health concern for people with heart or breathing problems, those with diabetes, children and the elderly.

Special air quality statement in effect for:

• Camrose Co. near Bashaw and Meeting Creek
• City of Red Deer
• Co. of Paintearth near Halkirk and Big Knife Prov. Park
• Co. of Stettler near Big Valley
• Co. of Stettler near Botha and Gadsby
• Co. of Stettler near Byemoor and Endiang
• Co. of Stettler near Donalda
• Co. of Stettler near Stettler Nevis and Rochon Sands
• Flagstaff Co. near Forestburg and Galahad
• Lacombe Co. near Clive Alix and Mirror
• Lacombe Co. near Eckville
• Lacombe Co. near Lacombe Blackfalds and Bentley
• Ponoka Co. near Ponoka and Maskwacis
• Red Deer Co. near Elnora Lousana and Delburne
• Red Deer Co. near Penhold Innisfail and Bowden
• Red Deer Co. near Pine Lake
• Red Deer Co. near Spruce View and Red Lodge Prov. Park
• Red Deer Co. near Sylvan Lake and Stephansson House