Smoky skies triggers warning from Interior Health

With several fires burning throughout the Okanagan, the familiar campfire smell is back in the air and the sky is getting more hazy by the minute.

An official air quality advisory has not yet been issued, but Interior Health (IH) is urging residents to take precautions to protect their lung health amid all this smoke.

Smoke affects each person differently, but IH says the best way to deal with smoke pollution is to be prepared and take measures to limit your exposure.

It can be particularly concerning for infants, the elderly and those who have medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, lung disease or heart disease, as well as pregnant women.

IH says that doing the following can reduce health risks associated with wildfire smoke:

• Reduce outdoor activity on smoky days.
• Find a clean air shelter such as large public buildings like libraries, community centres and shopping malls as they often have cleaner, cooler air than smaller buildings or the outdoors.
• Consider purchasing a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter and creating a filtered air room in your house.
• Travel to areas with better air quality – conditions can greatly vary across geographic areas and elevations.
• People with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.
• Pay attention to local air quality reports and the conditions around you as smoke concentrations may vary and change over short periods and over small distances. A heavy bluish-white haze, possibly accompanied by the smell of smoke, is an indication smoke concentrations are higher than usual. Check the Air Quality Health Index in your area.