Duane Hicks
Smoke from fires in the northern part of the region is wafting into Rainy River District.
Ministry of Natural Resources fire information officer Owen Vaughan explained this morning that the smoke is drifting to various parts of the region from the northern fires.
“The wind is basically blowing the smoke in from the north,” he noted. “The reason it’s so low, there’s a denser air cap on top at a level that keeps the smoke down on us.
“It’s not going out into the atmosphere like I guess it would normally.
“Plus, there’s a north wind pushing it our way,” added Vaughan. “And in the evening, there’s a cooling off inversion that’s happening, so air gets denser and the smoke settles down on top of us.
“In the morning, it starts to warm up gradually and it sort of lifts off.
“It’s not as bad as it is in the evening,” Vaughan remarked.
The good news is the forecast indicates a cold air mass will slice through the region Thursday, which will result in stormy weather and shift the wind southwest for a while as it passes by.
Then there should be some clearing for about two or three days, and people will get some relief from the smoke, Vaughan noted.
“Unfortunately, after that passes, everything switches back and the ridge builds back in the west.
“It’s going to start doing it again,” he warned.
While heavy smoke further north has resulted in communities being evacuated, the drifting smoke is a less serious problem for those in the southern part of the region.
However, it may prove to be “annoying and irritating,” especially to those with sinus conditions, said Vaughan.
In related news, the Northwestern Health Unit today issued a press release advising that forest fire smoke in the air can be harmful to your health.
The health unit said those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women, anyone with heart or lung conditions, or anyone doing strenuous exercise or work.
Steps you should take to reduce your risk include:
•If it looks smoky outside, stay inside and inactive as much as possible.
•Keep your windows and doors closed.
•Help keep particle levels inside lower by avoiding using anything that burns, such as wood stoves and gas stoves—even candles.
•Don’t smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs—and those of the people around you.
•If you have asthma, use your medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you are supposed to measure your peak flows, make sure you do so. Call your doctor or nurse if your symptoms worsen.
•Evacuate if advised to do so.
If you feel unwell, you should seek advice and care from your health-care provider, the health unit advised.
