A red-coloured sunrise on Friday marked the start of another smoky day in Calgary. As of 10 a.m., Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) air quality health index (AQHI) remained a 10-plus in Calgary, representing a very high health risk. Airdrie and several surrounding areas also saw poor air quality. The smoke is coming from wildfires burning in British Columbia and Washington state. Smoky conditions are expected to persist through Friday and Saturday as the plume gradually moves out of the region. Calgary’s AQHI will likely remain high Friday morning, with possible improvement to moderate risk later in the day. However, air quality could deteriorate again in the evening. At high and very high AQHI levels, people are advised to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activity. Children, seniors, pregnant people and those with heart or lung conditions are considered particularly vulnerable. To reduce exposure, ECCC says to keep windows and doors closed, use a high-quality indoor air filter and move outdoor activities indoors. A well-fitted respirator, such as an N95, can provide additional protection when outdoors. Symptoms caused by wildfire smoke can include coughing, throat irritation, headaches and shortness of breath. Calgary is currently in the middle of a roughly two-week stretch of hot weather, with temperatures expected to reach or approach 30 C on most days. The smoke could prevent Calgary from reaching its forecast high of 32 C on Friday by limiting the amount of sunlight reaching the ground.
