MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release - Attention Editor
WILDFIRE SMOKE ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR
FORT ST. JOHN & SURROUNDING AREAS
August 5th, 2014 – Prince George. The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with
the Northern Health Authority is continuing the Smoke Advisory for Fort St. John and
surrounding areas because of forest fire smoke that is affecting the area. Smoke
concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.
Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous
exercise until the advisory is lifted. If you are experiencing symptoms such as
continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or
wheeze, follow the advice of your health care provider, particularly if you are elderly,
have asthma, hay fever, breathing or lung conditions or if you react strongly to smoke.
For more information on current air quality, see: www.bcairquality.ca
Tips to reduce your personal health risk.
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People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of poor air quality
and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to poor air quality or smoke
exposure. If any symptoms are noted, affected individuals should take steps to reduce
their exposure to poor air quality or to dust and if necessary see their physician. People
with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk-in clinic or emergency
department depending on severity of symptoms.
Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from shortterm exposure to air pollution.
Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult
or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.
Avoid roads with heavy vehicle traffic.
Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care
plan.
Pay attention to local air quality reports, air quality may be poor even though smoke may not
be visible.
Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased.
If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.
For general information about smoke and poor air quality and your health, contact HealthLink
BC available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at:
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp.
For information on the effects of air quality on persons with respiratory or cardiac illnesses
please contact Northern Health at (250) 565- 2150 or for helpful information and other
resources related to air quality visit Northern Health’s website at
http://www.northernhealth.ca/
And especially for persons with chronic underlying medical conditions:
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Stay indoors and reduce indoor sources of pollution such as smoking and vacuuming.
Run an air cleaner. Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce indoor
particulate levels provided they are the right size for your home and filters are changed
regularly.
Buildings which have large indoor volumes of filtered outside air may provide temporary
relief for those with respiratory and cardiac issues
Additional Information:
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The provincial air quality objective for coarse particles, PM10, is 50 micrograms per cubic
metre, averaged over 24 hours. The 24 hour PM10 rolling average was 50 µg/m3 at the Fort
St. John Cultural Centre at 10 am today.
The provincial air quality objective for fine particles, PM2.5, is 25 micrograms per cubic
metre, averaged over 24 hours. Even though PM2.5 data is not readily available for Fort St.
John, it is assumed that most of the particulates measured with a PM10 monitor are
smaller than 2.5 µm in diameter during smoke episodes.
Based on the quality data and satellite photos, the high levels are mainly due to wild fires
in the area.
Smoke from forest fires continue to move over the region. Winds are forecast to increase
over the next 24 hours but it is uncertain if there will any relief from the smoke. However
forest fire smoke can be unpredictable and localize so there may be times that conditions
may improve somewhat.
For information on particulate matter levels, please check the Ministry’s website at
www.bcairquality.ca.
This Advisory is expected to be in effect until further notice, with an update to be provided
this afternoon.
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Contacts:
Dennis Fudge
Phone: (250) 565-4210
Air Quality Meteorologist
BC Ministry of Environment
Dr. William Osei
Phone: (250) 961-7724
Medical Health Officer
Northern Health Authority