Experts warn Albertans to prepare for another smoky summer as B.C. fire risk looms
After earlier wildfire smoke from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, meteorologists warn southern B.C. drought conditions could bring more smoke across southern Alberta in coming months.
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Health experts are warning Albertans to brace for what could be another smoke-filled summer, with no safe level of exposure to wildfire smoke.
A haze that settled into the Calgary area earlier this week due to wildfires in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba has dissipated for now. However, meteorologist Brian Proctor with Environment and Climate Change Canada said relief may be temporary. "B.C. is sort of poised to raise its head and cause us a little bit more smoke grief moving forward," he said. Southern British Columbia is experiencing drought conditions and a very significant forest fire risk. "If they get an outbreak of dry thunderstorms we're going to be getting smoke back across southern Alberta from those moving forward."
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2023 was the smokiest year in recent memory for Calgary, with 512 smoke hours recorded, followed by 2021 with 439.
Dr. Courtney Howard, an ER physician and wildfire researcher based in Yellowknife, described wildfire smoke as "one of the biggest public health threats we have in Canada." Symptoms can include headaches, mild cough, eye irritation, dizziness, wheezing, and shortness of breath. More severe impacts can lead to heart attack, stroke, or premature death. Particulates in wildfire smoke can travel into the lungs and cross into the bloodstream, causing inflammation. People with underlying health conditions, seniors, babies, and pregnant people face highest risk. Health experts also warn of reproductive and developmental impacts, including increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
