CGTN
26-Jun-2023
Smoke from forest fires reaching to the center of Ottawa, Canada, June 25, 2023. /CFP
The air quality in the capital region of Canada started out bad and got worse over Sunday, rising to 10+ or "very high risk," the federal air quality index's highest level.
"High levels of air pollution have developed due to smoke from forest fires. Smoke plumes from forest fires in Quebec have moved into the area, resulting in deteriorated air quality," said Environment Canada in a special air quality statement.
In response, organizers of two out of the four major festivals in Ottawa have decided to cancel events, while the City of Ottawa has taken the step to cancel its outdoor programs and close wading and outdoor pools.
Air quality readings are expected to drop to a level seven on Monday, which is still a high risk, returning to a moderate risk at night.
Current weather conditions could worsen forest fires in Quebec and spark new ones, the Minister of Public Security announced on Saturday morning.
According to a statement from the ministry, several parts of the province are currently experiencing a flammability index ranging from "very high" to "extreme," indicating a significant risk of burning. The heightened risk is attributed to decreased levels of precipitation and rising temperatures, which have intensified the threat of forest fires.
Several regions are currently under close surveillance including Abitibi-Temiscamingue, the North Shore, northern Quebec and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
SOPFEU, Quebec's forest fire agency, is actively engaged in combatting 81 fires across the province, with 25 of them being classified as out of control. Presently, the agency has prioritized its resources towards managing 43 fires.
Several municipalities have had to evacuate in the last few days, including some parts of the northwestern city of Senneterre. On Friday afternoon, authorities issued an evacuation order of 60 cottages in a rural area, around 30 kilometers north of the city centre.
Later in the day, evacuation orders were also issued for certain sectors of Beaucanton, Val-Paradis and Lac Pajegasque in the northwestern parts of the province.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were five new wildfires burning in Canada on Sunday, bringing the total across the country this year to 2,880.
Wildfires have so far devoured about 74,000 square kilometers of land in Canada, making 2023 one of the worst years for wildfires on record, according to the center.
This year record fires have resulted in Canada deploying around 550 armed forces personnel and more than 1,700 international firefighters, paid for by the provinces, to beef up its stretched crews. As more wildfires threaten communities, provincial agencies are also increasingly leaning on structural firefighters to help protect homes.
But of the 126,000 structural firefighters in Canada, 90,000 are volunteers, according to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, who are bearing the strain of protecting their own communities while also holding down day jobs.
(With input from agencies)
Montreal has worst air of any major city as wildfires rage: monitor
Agence France-Presse
June 26, 2023
A man surfs in the St. Lawrence river with smoke caused by wildfires in northern Quebec in the background in Montreal, Canada on June 25, 2023 (ANDREJ IVANOV)
Forest fires in Canada left Montreal blanketed with smog on Sunday, giving it the worst air quality of any major city in the world, according to a pollution monitor.
Quebec province's most populous city had 'unhealthy' air quality according to IQAir, which tracks pollution around the globe, as hundreds of wildfires burned across the country.
Environment Canada issued smog warnings in several Quebec regions due to the fires, saying, "high concentrations of fine particulate matter are causing poor air quality and reduced visibilities," with conditions to persist until Monday morning.
The agency urged residents to avoid outdoor activities and wear face masks if they must go outside.
Outdoor pools and sports areas have been closed and multiple outside events, including concerts and sports competitions, have been cancelled due to the unhealthy smog.
"It's really like a fog, except it's smoke from the forest fires. It's really hard to breathe, and it stings the eyes a bit too," said 18-year-old Fauve Lepage Vallee, lamenting that a festival she was due to attend had been cancelled.
There are 80 active forest fires in Quebec, according to Quebec's forest fire protection agency, SOPFEU, with several growing over the weekend due to dry weather and high temperatures.
"The extent of the smoke is making it particularly difficult for air tankers and helicopters to be effective," SOPFEU said.
However, "significant amounts" of rain are expected on Monday or Tuesday in the northwest of the province, it added.
On Wednesday, 119 French firefighters are due arrive in Quebec to relieve a contingent of their compatriots in the field since early June.
"They will also be deployed to Roberval," 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Quebec City, for a 21 day mission, said Stephane Caron, a spokesman for SOPFEU.
Across the country, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) lists more than 450 active fires, some 240 of which are deemed out of control.
Canada is experiencing an unprecedented year of fires, with more than 7.4 million hectares burned since the beginning of January.
Agence France-Presse
June 26, 2023
A man surfs in the St. Lawrence river with smoke caused by wildfires in northern Quebec in the background in Montreal, Canada on June 25, 2023 (ANDREJ IVANOV)
Forest fires in Canada left Montreal blanketed with smog on Sunday, giving it the worst air quality of any major city in the world, according to a pollution monitor.
Quebec province's most populous city had 'unhealthy' air quality according to IQAir, which tracks pollution around the globe, as hundreds of wildfires burned across the country.
Environment Canada issued smog warnings in several Quebec regions due to the fires, saying, "high concentrations of fine particulate matter are causing poor air quality and reduced visibilities," with conditions to persist until Monday morning.
The agency urged residents to avoid outdoor activities and wear face masks if they must go outside.
Outdoor pools and sports areas have been closed and multiple outside events, including concerts and sports competitions, have been cancelled due to the unhealthy smog.
"It's really like a fog, except it's smoke from the forest fires. It's really hard to breathe, and it stings the eyes a bit too," said 18-year-old Fauve Lepage Vallee, lamenting that a festival she was due to attend had been cancelled.
There are 80 active forest fires in Quebec, according to Quebec's forest fire protection agency, SOPFEU, with several growing over the weekend due to dry weather and high temperatures.
"The extent of the smoke is making it particularly difficult for air tankers and helicopters to be effective," SOPFEU said.
However, "significant amounts" of rain are expected on Monday or Tuesday in the northwest of the province, it added.
On Wednesday, 119 French firefighters are due arrive in Quebec to relieve a contingent of their compatriots in the field since early June.
"They will also be deployed to Roberval," 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Quebec City, for a 21 day mission, said Stephane Caron, a spokesman for SOPFEU.
Across the country, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) lists more than 450 active fires, some 240 of which are deemed out of control.
Canada is experiencing an unprecedented year of fires, with more than 7.4 million hectares burned since the beginning of January.
Montreal public health says air quality 5 times worse than before
Jun. 26, 2023, 8:35 AM
People with heart and lung conditions should stay inside, health experts say
Visit The Weather Network's wildfire hub to keep up with the latest on the active start to wildfire season across Canada.
Smoke from fires burning in northern Quebec has coated Montreal, again, leading to poor air quality that is five to six times worse than in early June, according to a medical director at Montreal Public Health.
Environment Canada reported that the air quality health index (AQHI) for Montreal was 10+ on Sunday, which corresponds to a "very high risk" level. It went down to nine on Monday, which corresponds to a "high health risk."
Wildfire smoke spreads fine particles in the air that can get in people's lungs and make it difficult to breathe. Breathing in these particles can lead to chest pain, headaches and a general feeling of being unwell.
SEE ALSO: Chibougamau mayor says town will not be evacuated due to forest fires Sunday
David Kaiser, a medical director at Montreal Public Health, said in an interview that people with heart and lung conditions are particularly vulnerable, but with this much smoke and pollution in the air, everyone can feel its effects.
"So you go for a jog yesterday morning or this morning, you may start to feel some chest tightness, some shortness of breath. That's a sign that probably should stop, get inside, take a break because like I said, at these levels anybody can start having those impacts," said Kaiser.
Stay indoors, wear a mask
Kaiser recommends people stay inside with doors and windows shut and the air conditioner running if possible. Avoiding exposure is key, he says.
Content continues below
Environment Canada recommends using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air inside and wearing a well-fitted respirator-type mask outside.
It also recommends checking up on people who may be more vulnerable to smoke.
People should be aware of their mental health as it is normal to feel anxious or isolated during a smoke event, says Environment Canada.
Rain and thunderstorms forecast
Montreal is expecting showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday, with a rainfall of about 20 to 40 millimetres expected.
The rain may help dissipate the fine particles and improve air quality. Environment Canada says Montreal's AQHI should go down to two on Tuesday, which represents a "low health risk."
This article was originally written by and published for CBC News, with files from Chloë Ranaldi.
Jun. 26, 2023, 8:35 AM
People with heart and lung conditions should stay inside, health experts say
Visit The Weather Network's wildfire hub to keep up with the latest on the active start to wildfire season across Canada.
Smoke from fires burning in northern Quebec has coated Montreal, again, leading to poor air quality that is five to six times worse than in early June, according to a medical director at Montreal Public Health.
Environment Canada reported that the air quality health index (AQHI) for Montreal was 10+ on Sunday, which corresponds to a "very high risk" level. It went down to nine on Monday, which corresponds to a "high health risk."
Wildfire smoke spreads fine particles in the air that can get in people's lungs and make it difficult to breathe. Breathing in these particles can lead to chest pain, headaches and a general feeling of being unwell.
SEE ALSO: Chibougamau mayor says town will not be evacuated due to forest fires Sunday
David Kaiser, a medical director at Montreal Public Health, said in an interview that people with heart and lung conditions are particularly vulnerable, but with this much smoke and pollution in the air, everyone can feel its effects.
"So you go for a jog yesterday morning or this morning, you may start to feel some chest tightness, some shortness of breath. That's a sign that probably should stop, get inside, take a break because like I said, at these levels anybody can start having those impacts," said Kaiser.
Stay indoors, wear a mask
Kaiser recommends people stay inside with doors and windows shut and the air conditioner running if possible. Avoiding exposure is key, he says.
Content continues below
Environment Canada recommends using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air inside and wearing a well-fitted respirator-type mask outside.
It also recommends checking up on people who may be more vulnerable to smoke.
People should be aware of their mental health as it is normal to feel anxious or isolated during a smoke event, says Environment Canada.
Rain and thunderstorms forecast
Montreal is expecting showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday, with a rainfall of about 20 to 40 millimetres expected.
The rain may help dissipate the fine particles and improve air quality. Environment Canada says Montreal's AQHI should go down to two on Tuesday, which represents a "low health risk."
This article was originally written by and published for CBC News, with files from Chloë Ranaldi.
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