With smoke plumes hovering in the sky around Chatham-Kent, residents are encouraged to avoid outdoor activities if possible.
A special air quality statement from Environment Canada remains in effect for the area due to deteriorated air quality caused by smoke from the forest fires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec.
According to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Chatham-Kent, conditions began to deteriorate around 4 a.m., moving into the “high risk” category. As of 10 a.m., the AQHI was recorded at 12, which exceeds the “high risk” category of 7-10.
Public health officials are reminding the public that wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations.
People with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
Residents are encouraged to keep the doors and windows of their homes closed if the temperature in their homes is comfortable.
While a burn ban has not been issued at this time, Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue is asking local residents to avoid open-air burning. Fire officials said they will continue to monitor the situation.
According to Environment Canada, air quality conditions are expected to improve for some areas Thursday night.
