Over the next few days, some Manitobans may be exposed to smoke drifting into central and northern Manitoba from a number of wildland fires that are burning in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Smoke levels may vary throughout the province over the weekend. They may be highest tomorrow in areas around Flin Flon and The Pas, but other areas may be impacted as well.
Manitoba Health advises that people at higher risk, such as young children, the elderly and people with heart or lung conditions (particularly asthma), should take additional precautions if conditions are hazy with a smoke odour, if visibility is less than eight kilometres or if they are having symptoms. Others may wish to avoid strenuous activity in these conditions. If smoke is thicker, everyone may wish to consider precautions. Exposure to smoke can cause sore eyes, tears, coughing and a runny nose.
In areas affected by smoke from wildland fires, Manitoba Health encourages residents to:
• use common sense about outdoor or strenuous physical activity; if breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity;
• reduce exposure to smoke by staying indoors or moving to areas with cleaner air, as conditions can vary dramatically by area;
• if an air conditioner is drawing in smoke from outside, consider reducing the external air intake, running it intermittently or turning it off;
• keep indoor air cleaner by avoiding smoking or burning other materials; and
• use a commercially available, high-efficiency particulate-air (HEPA) filter to further improve indoor air quality near the filter.
Manitobans with health questions or concerns can contact their health-care provider or Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free). More information on the health effects of smoke is available online.
