Forest fires continue to impact air quality in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region remains under a special air quality statement on Thursday due to smoke from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario.

Environment Canada is warning the air quality could reach a seven on Thursday which is the high risk category.

“In this particular instance, the pollutant that we’re worried about results from the smoke from the forest fires, and that is known as PM2.5 or particulate matter,” said Environment Canada Warning and Preparedness Meteorologist Monica Vaswani. “The reason that is dangerous is especially for vulnerable populations it can lead to wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness.”

Vulnerable populations include those who are elderly, pregnant, or have pre-existing conditions such as asthma, or heart disease.

Jennifer Baltzer is an associate professor and Canada research chair at Wilfrid Laurier University. She told the Mike Farwell Show on CityNews 570 on Wednesday that the level of forest fires is higher across the country than usual.”

“When we hear about our air quality report, it’s about how much of that fine particulate is in the air,” Baltzar said. “Right now, we’re at levels that are far beyond anything that is normal for this region.”

Environment Canada is recommending that individuals stay inside whenever possible while the air remains hazy.

“People who are choosing to go outdoors, ideally you want to limit that,” said Vaswani. “If you are playing sports, you want to make that decision based on your own health, but ideally stay inside.”

Anyone who works outside or is outside for long periods is encouraged to wear an N95 mask. The smoke may persist into Friday.

“By Saturday, the plume of smoke–because of the wind direction–is expected to shift further east so making its way back in through the GTA and eastern Ontario which will likely give [Waterloo Region] a bit of a reprieve on Saturday and likely even more so on Sunday,” said Vaswani.

Baltzar said the government has to act to avoid these forest fires in the future.

“Governments need to take this seriously. They need to be really focused on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and bringing those greenhouse gas emissions right down as fast as they can, and so far we’re not seeing that happen.”