By Laura Keil
The province has issued a smoky skies bulletin for large parts of BC today including the Robson Valley as smoke from wildfires drifts across the province.
Modelling at firesmoke.ca shows the Robson Valley will see wildfire smoke at elevated levels over the next 3 days at least.
Valemount’s PM 2.5 meter (a measure of particulate matter in the air less than 2.5 microns in diameter) midday Wednesday read 120ppm, five times the 24hr air quality target in BC.
Tips to reduce your smoke exposure
• Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your
symptoms even when you are indoors.
• Running a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can
improve indoor air quality in the room where the device is located.
• If you have a forced air heating/cooling system in your home, it may help to change
the filter and set the fan to run continuously.
• Reduce indoor air pollution sources such as smoking, burning incense, and frying
foods.
• If travelling in a car with air conditioning, keep the windows up and the ventilation
set to recirculate.
• If you are very sensitive to smoke, consider moving to another location with cleaner
air, but be aware that conditions can change rapidly.
• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting
from short-term exposure to air pollution.
