AHS issues air quality warning for Calgary

An air quality advisory has been issued for Calgary due to the B.C. wildfires.

Alberta Health Services says the advisory could continue for the next few days and possibly weeks.

People are advised to be aware of air conditions and take precautions against potential health concerns connected to the smoky air conditions.

“Today, our wind into the afternoon will be predominately west, that is not ideal,” said 660 NEWS meteorologist Andrew Schultz. “But today looks like the only day of the next handful of days that we have that predominately west flow. That does not mean we’re not going to see smoke over the next few days.”

For those who have respiratory and heart conditions, asthma or allergies, AHS recommends monitoring symptoms that could get worse with the wildfire haze in the region.

“It’s really heavy in the chest and it’s hard to breathe,” said Victor Hall who was walking around downtown Calgary Monday morning. “I have to take orange inhaler in the morning and throughout the day the blue one.”

Minor smoke doesn’t usually cause health issues, but even healthy Calgarians may experience irritated eyes and throat and even shortness of breath. For those who aren’t impacted by smoke in the air, it’s just a matter of taste for now.

“I actually sort of like it, brings me back to [my] youth living in northern Canada where summer was forest fires. And I like campfire so it’s sort of good,” said Ruger Johnson.

AHS says there are a few steps you should take if you can taste or smell smoke:

-monitor your symptoms.

-do not exercise outdoors.

-remain indoors with the windows and air vents closed.

-if you drive anywhere, turn the air off, or use the recirculating feature.

If you notice symptoms you should contact Health Link which is open 24/7 and toll free at 811.

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