Air Quality Alerts for: Elk Valley

Statements

10:09 AM PST Thursday 21 November 2024

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY AND OPEN BURNING RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FOR ELKFORD (November 21, 2024 9:00 AM) The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Elkford due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter that are expected to persist until weather conditions change. Exposure is particularly a concern for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes; respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pregnant women, infants, and older adults. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Where appropriate, maintain physical distancing. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care provider. Staying indoors helps to reduce exposure. Open burning restrictions are now in effect for Elkford and surrounding area until November 23, 2024 9:00 AM local time. No new fires may be initiated and no additional material may be added to existing fires. For more information on burning restrictions, see the section below entitled Mandatory Emission Reduction Actions. Real-time air quality observations and information regarding the health effects of air pollution can be found at https://www.gov.bc.ca/airquality Fine particulate matter, PM2.5, refers to airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters of 2.5 micrometres or less. PM2.5 levels tend to be highest around busy roads, industrial operations and neighbourhoods with residential wood burning. PM2.5 can easily penetrate indoors because of their small size. Common sources of PM2.5 that contribute to episodes of poor air quality include wood smoke (from wood stoves and/or open burning) as well as emissions from industry and transportation sources such as automobiles, trucks and rail traffic. For more information on current air quality, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air. Visit airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. Issued by Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy