Poor air quality warning issued over wildfires raging around Fort Nelson

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Smoke from wildfires is expected to reduce visibility and cause poor air quality in Fort Nelson over the next two days. 

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Fort Nelson, Muncho Lake Park and Stone Mountain Park to warn people in those regions that they are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24 to 48 hours. 

It advised residents to reduce or reschedule outdoor sports, activities and events and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. 

Where outdoor activity is necessary, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly-worn respirator-type mask – such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent – can reduce exposure to the fine particles in the smoke, it said.

Milder symptoms of smoke exposure include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and a mild cough, or more serious problems include wheezing, chest pains and severe cough.

This is more likely to impact older or pregnant people, young children and those with a pre-existing condition. 

Environment Canada said it will give an update about the situation on June 3rd, here.

This comes as the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) tackles various blazes in the Fort Nelson zone, including one which has grown to 73,221 hectares.

There is also a fire 10 kilometres northeast of Summit Lake to the west of Fort Nelson which has led to the closure of part of the Alaska Highway.