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By Chris Brown

Special air quality statement issued for Medicine Hat, all of southern Alberta

Sep 5, 2023 | 2:20 PM

A special air quality statement has been issued for all of southern Alberta due wildfire smoke.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) updated its statement on Tuesday afternoon, asking people to take action to protect their health and reduce exposure to smoke.

As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the air quality health index in Medicine Hat is rated 7, which is the low end of the high risk category. It is expected to stay at 7 until tomorrow when it will drop to 4.

The weather service says “people with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”

Suggestions to avoid any complications from wildfire smoke include limiting time outdoors, wearing a mask if you need to go outside and keeping indoor air clean.

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ECCC says wildfire smoke concentrations can fluctuate over short distances and vary considerably from hour to hour and can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations.