OTTAWA – Wildfires have scorched a record 7.7 million hectares across Canada, the highest ever in a single summer.
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“This is the worst wildfire season in Canada,” Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said Tuesday as 492 fires raged across the country, including 259 that are out of control.
The plume of smoke from Quebec is such that its effects are felt as far as Europe, where fine particles have been transported by the wind.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
What is the air quality index in your city and what are the health recommendations derived from it?
Air Quality Index (AQI US)
101-150
sensitive people
AQI: GOOD
Great day to be active outdoors.
AQI: MODERATE
Some people may be particularly sensitive to fine particle pollution
Particularly sensitive people: Consider reducing the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to slow down.
All the others : Great day to be active outdoors.
AQI: BAD for
sensitive people
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, children and adolescents, minority populations and outdoor workers.
Sensitive groups: Reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. It’s okay to be active outside, but take more breaks. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.
AQI: BAD
for everyone
Sensitive people: Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*
All the others : Reduce the duration and intensity of activities. Take more breaks from outdoor activities.
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
AQI: VERY BAD
Sensitive people: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Postpone it to a time when the air quality is better or move activities indoors.*
All the others : Avoid prolonged or strenuous activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
AQI: CRITICAL
All the others : Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Sensitive people: Stay indoors and maintain a reduced activity level. Follow tips for keeping particulate levels low indoors.*
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
Pollution record
These fires are boosting the country’s annual carbon emissions to a level never seen before, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) database dating back to 2003.
In total, CAMS identifies about 160 megatonnes of carbon emissions since the first wildfires in May. That’s more than 10% of global forest fire-related carbon emissions accounted for all of last year.
“We need to do everything we can to reduce emissions now and make sure it’s not worse in the future,” said George Heyman, British Columbia’s environment minister, who accompanied Minister Blair. at the unveiling of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy on Climate Change on Tuesday in Vancouver.
Canada not ready
While it contributes greatly through its emissions, “Canada is not ready to deal with climate change,” said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, also in Vancouver.
AFP
However, Ottawa has spent $6.5 billion on climate adaptation programs since 2016. Minister Guilbeault warned that this is still insufficient and that much more will have to be invested to adapt and achieve the targets set by the National Strategy. adaptation unveiled on Tuesday.
For example, it plans to completely eliminate deaths caused by heat waves in the country by 2040.
During the summer of 2020, 149 people died of heat in Quebec. Then, the following year, between June 25 and the 1er July alone, heat killed 619 people in British Columbia.
Since that disaster, Vancouver has included air conditioning in its building code as an adaptation measure. The federal strategy provides for changes to the three national building codes.
