Wildfire Air Quality Issues

 

Climate change is in full swing this summer and forest fires are popping up everywhere in my home province  of B.C.  Some are caused by careless humans and others by lightening.  Unfortunately no matter what causes them they can have devastating results for wildlife, animals, people, communities and the environment.

Air pollution can especially hit the vulnerable, those with pre-existing health issues like heart, lung, and allergies. All that smoke contains gasses and fine particulate matter that can reduce your lungs immune defenses leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Those fine particles can actually embed themselves into your lungs staying there for years.

This type of pollution can leave most people with allergy like symptoms such as irritated throat, eyes, and skin, headaches, nasal congestion and runny nose. In those with pre-existing lung issues they can experience these symptoms as well as more severe symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. They may even require medical attention.

 

Pets and wildlife can suffer just as much as humans from all the smoke. 

So when the smoke is bad outside being inside is always a better option and if you have an air purifier this is the perfect time to put it to good use. If you have pets or farm animals that can't go indoors keep them as inactive as possible.  

If you would like to know more about how smoke from wildfires affects animals as well as some tips you can check these sites for more helpful information.

The conversation. How wildfire smoke affects pets and other animals.

avma. Pet owners/emergency care

The Lung Association and Island Health both make some great recommendation for dealing with smoke from forest fires during the summer:

Pay attention to your local air quality reports.

Stay cool and drink plenty of liquids.

Stay inside as much as possible with doors and windows closed. 

If you have an air conditioner set it to re-circulate so it won't bring in the smoky air.  If you have a fireplace shut the fireplace dampers.

Those with existing health issues (ie. lung), pregnant women, children and older adults are more susceptible to the smoke.

If you're driving close the windows and vents and use the recirculate setting or air conditioning on the same recirculating setting.

If you're on any medications make sure they are up to date and if you have any lung issues make sure you have your rescue inhaler with you at all times.

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Spend as little time outside as possible. Wearing a mask can also be helpful.

Some shopping malls, buildings and community centers provide filtered air too, so if you do need to go out this a great thing to keep in mind.

Here are some additional links for air quality and wildfires you might find useful:

Provence of BC, current wildfire status

Canadian Wildland Fire Information

Canadian Air Quality Health Index

US Wildfire Map

US Active Fire Mapping

Global forest fire watch

US Air Quality

World's Air Pollution




Sources:

avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals

theconversation.com/how-wildfire-smoke-affects-pets-and-other-animals-129430

lung.ca/lung-health/air-quality

islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/environment/wildfires