Due to active forest fires, communities in northwestern Ontario may experience smoke in the air and poor air quality.
As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Forest fire smoke is made up of a mixture of gases and fine particles that can be harmful to your health. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.
During heavy smoke conditions, reduce or reschedule outdoor strenuous activities. Some people are more likely to experience health effects when exposed to wildfire smoke, including those aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors.
Follow these tips to protect you and your family:
- If it looks smoky outside, stay inside as much as possible with your windows and doors closed. When an extreme heat event occurs with poor air quality, prioritize staying cool.
- Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke.
- If you have an HVAC system in your home, use the highest rated MERV filter and set your fan to recirculate.
- Make use of portable air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that can filter fine particles.
- Consider cancelling or rescheduling outdoor events and activities during heavy smoke conditions, including when air quality advisories have been issued.
- Check in on others who may be affected by the smoke in the air.
