Wildfire smoke advisory issued for Fort St. John

Updated with information on a fire ban. — Ed. 

A smoke advisory has been issued for Fort St. John and surrounding areas due to smoke from wildfires in the area.

The situation is expected to persist for at least the next 24 hours.

Exposure is of particular concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes and lung or heart disease.

The B.C. Ministry of Environment warns that people with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, discomfort, or irritation of airways.

Wildfires are currently burning on both sides of the border.

RELATED STORY: 15 gas plant workers forced to flee Petitot River Wildfire

In the Prince George Fire Centre (which includes all of Northeast B.C.), crews are responding to the 415-hectare Mount Bigfoot Fire about 90 kilometres southeast of Fort Nelson.

The Petitot River Fire is also burning about 115 kilometres northeast of Fort Nelson, which was about 3,600 hectares at last estimate. An evacuation alert was issued by the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.

On the Alberta side of the border, there are two wildfires burning north of Worsley.

Real-time air quality information is available at www.bcairquality.ca.

How to reduce health risk

— People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure. If any symptoms are noted, affected individuals should take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke and if necessary see their physician. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk in clinic or emergency department depending on severity of symptoms.

— Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.

— Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.

— Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.

— Consider visiting a location like a shopping mall with cooler filtered air. Keep in mind that staying indoors may help you stay cool and provide some relief from the smoke, however many air conditioning systems do not filter the air or improve indoor air quality.

— Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking or burning other materials.

— You may be able to reduce your exposure to smoke by moving to cleaner air. Conditions can vary dramatically by area and elevation.

— Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.

— Pay attention to local air quality reports, air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.

— Commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.

— Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.

— For general information about smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp.

Fire ban throughout B.C.

A fire ban also went out on Friday across the majority of the province except areas along the western coast of Vancouver Island that includes campfires and fireworks.

Cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are exempt. 

The fire ban covers all B.C. Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department.

B.C. Wildfire Management does not have jurisdiction within municipalities, says Fire Information Officer Emily Epp.

“But a lot of municipalities have their own bylaws in places about back yard burning,” she said. 

Both the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John fire departments warn residents that there is currently a ban on backyard fires both cities that includes open fires of any size, the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and tiki torches, burning barrels or burning cages of any size, exploding rifle targets or use of forced-air burning systems. 

For more information on the ban call the City of Fort St. John fire department (250-785-4333) or the Dawson Creek fire department (250-782-9898). 

dcreporter@dcdn.ca

© Copyright 2015 Alaska Highway News

Wildfire smoke advisory issued for Fort St. John