Medicine Hat Media

Smoke Advisory

Medicine Hat – Smoke from British Columbia’s forest fires has drifted into Alberta. Residents in Medicine Hat and the surrounding communities are advised to take precautions against potential health risks. Smoke conditions can vary depending on current weather conditions and prevailing winds, but may affect local air quality and health.

Alberta Health Services has issued an advisory and residents should plan activities and manage their health in the areas of possible smoke impact. Please contact Alberta Health Services by calling Health Link (24 hours a day, seven days a week) toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465) or visiting their website at www.albertahealthservices.ca.

“We want to ensure that residents take the appropriate precautions to protect their health and safety attributed to the level of observable smoke in the air,” said Fire Chief Ron Robinson. “Fire Services recommends that residents be cognizant of the impact that the B.C. Forest Fires are having on our air quality, but continue to remain alert and responsive in the event a local incident occurs.”

When smoke levels are high, even healthy people may experience discomfort, so ensure that appropriate measures are taken such as remaining in doors (with windows and doors closed) and restricting outdoor activities to protect at risk groups including:

  • Children, who are more likely to be active outdoors
  • Adults with respiratory, heart or lung conditions/diseases (including asthma), for whom the smoke from BC forest might worsen symptoms
  • Elderly, who have existing respiratory, heart and lung conditions/diseases
  • Smokers, whose lung and heart function may already be compromised
  • Pregnant women

Residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 should emergencies occur or be observed that are unrelated to the air quality issues from the B.C. forest fires.

User Comments

One Response to “Smoke Advisory”

  1. July 16th, 2017 at 8:03 PM


    Colin Bryksa says:

    This posting is 7 years old, come on people, we should have something little more current, Ron Robinson has been retired for some years,,,what’s going on ?????

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