Londoners are being advised to consider limiting strenuous outdoor activities as smoky conditions persist for a second straight day.
Smoke plumes from forest fires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec have caused air pollution to spike across southwestern Ontario. In London there is a visible haze in the sky and a bonfire smell that began Tuesday and has continued into Wednesday.
Environment Canada's air quality health index is forecast to climb to 10 plus, which is very high risk. At that level, the national weather agency states that people should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors.
That advice is being echoed by the Middlesex London Health Unit. It stated that people who are at the highest risk for health concerns related to the poor air quality including children, seniors, those with cardiovascular or lung disease, and people who work outdoors, should cut down or scrap plans for strenuous outdoor activities. People who are lower risk should also consider reducing or rescheduling.
The poor air quality can cause mild irritation and discomfort including increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. These symptoms usually disappear when the smoke clears, according to public health officials. Drinking plenty of water and taking breaks in places with clean, cool air can help the body cope with the smoke.
Other precautions being recommended by the health unit include cancelling organized athletic activities, depending on the event and vulnerabilities of the participants, monitoring yourself for symptoms and reducing or stopping activities if you have trouble breathing.
Environment Canada has southwestern Ontario under a special air quality statement. It reminds air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.
The London Fire Department took to social media to ask the public not to call 911 over concerns from the smell of smoke in the air. It stated that its communications centre was "overwhelmed" by calls due to the smoky smell on Tuesday.
"This smell comes from woodland fires from the north and Quebec l, and is more prevalent in the low lying areas," the department said on Twitter. "Please be mindful of calling 911 unnecessarily."
The Thames Valley District School Board said Wednesday, where possible, schools would keep doors and windows closed. Outdoor activities, including recess, would continue as normal. However, students and staff are asked to take it easy and monitor their symptoms.
The City of London has cancelled all outdoor recreation activities scheduled for Wednesday due to the poor air quality. That includes any games or practices set to be played on city-operated grass soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and cricket pitches.
Storybook Garens will also be closed for the day and the outdoor movie night scheduled to take place at Forest Hill Park Wednesday evening is cancelled.
"Recognizing the challenges [Wednesday's] air quality may present to our community, City of London community centres are available to provide indoor relief for Londoners, city officials said in a statement.
A full list of community centres can be found at london.ca/community-centres.
Air quality is expected to improve Thursday as smoke goes from being widespread to localized. The air quality health index for the day is forecast to be moderate.
