The air quality health index in the Grande Prairie region remains high due to wildfire smoke. Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement Tuesday, which remains in effect for the city and surrounding area.
Executive Director of the Peace Airshed Zone Association Elizabeth Bell says the poor air quality in the region is the result of wildfires from across western Canada.
“We are getting a lot of smoke either blowing into our area or just kind of hovering,” she says. “As the wind shifts, we are getting impacts from different areas. Currently, we have wildfires south of Grande Prairie, we have some wildfires north of the Grande Prairie area, so in the northern part of our region.”
“As well, we are seeing some wildfire smoke blow in from British Colombia, and I will say that we also have some wildfire smoke that blows in from the east. Unfortunately for communities in the lower Peace area, it is coming from any direction.”
One of the things Bell says will help the region’s air quality is rain. She explains not only will precipitation help with the wildfire situation, but it will also help with the smoke situation and bring it under control.
“Wind also tends to move the air more quickly through our region,” she adds, “so if we have a really windy day, we can see that air dispersed and spread the pollution out a little bit, and it does create a little bit of relief.”
Bell advises people to watch the region’s Air Quality Health Index and limit time outdoors when the rating is in the moderate to very high range. She says this is especially important for kids and those with respiratory issues.
