Smoke from campfires

Discreetly, SEPAQ and Parks Canada are examining how problematic campfire smoke can be in campgrounds. But there is absolutely no question of banning what is a real institution.

Rather, it is about informing people with lung diseases about which sites or times to avoid.

“Knowing that campfires are one of the essential camping experiences, we are currently looking into the potential impacts that the fine particles contained in the smoke from these campfires could have,” indicates a public relations officer from Parks Canada, Claudia Crépeault, in an email to The Press. Depending on the results obtained, we will think about the best way to communicate the information to visitors. »

For its part, SEPAQ is in “prevention and awareness mode,” says its spokesperson, Simon Boivin.

“There is no question of banning or restricting campfires in its campsites nor of documenting the effects of smoke on health,” he specifies. SEPAQ is simply looking to see if it can better inform visitors with lung or heart conditions about times or places where there might be more smoke in the air due to campfires, so they can take a informed decision regarding their visit and choice of location. »

In September 2022, Daniel Vézina went camping at Mont-Tremblant Park with his three asthmatic children. The smoke from the campfires in the campground was so dense that the three children were seriously inconvenienced and had to be medicated. Mr. Vézina himself experienced health problems following his stay. Since then, he has campaigned for better control of campfires.

Simon Boivin indicated that this event led SEPAQ to analyze the situation based on the specific characteristics of the parks, weather conditions and traffic. The company has mandated a firm to collect data on air quality in Mont-Tremblant Park during the summer of 2023.

“The data has not been analyzed and the research protocols still need to be refined,” explained Mr. Boivin. The pilot project is expected to continue next year. »

In the meantime, SEPAQ encourages campers to make campfires “responsibly and respectfully, of low intensity and of short duration, in order to minimize their footprint”.

For her part, Claudia Crépeault assured that Parks Canada had heard the concerns raised by some visitors about smoke from campfires. “This is why we work with our colleagues in provincial and territorial parks to be informed of the latest advances and strategies used in the field,” she indicated in her email.

Parks Canada has asked the Canadian Parks Council to survey the provinces and territories for this purpose. The latter asked them in particular if they measured the level of fine particles in campsites and if they took special measures in the event of levels that were too high.

According to a document unearthed by Daniel Vézina on the Canadian Parks Council website, only two provinces and the Northwest Territories had responded to the questions in July 2023.

New Brunswick said it has installed air quality monitoring units in a few parks, which should allow it to see if mitigation measures are needed. “Vehicle use may be a more pressing issue than smoke from campfires,” the province said.

For its part, Alberta Parks maintained that at present, it has not noted any localized air quality problems due to smoke from campfires in its parks.

“In the past, smoke levels in campgrounds have been problematic under certain conditions (for example, during a temperature inversion or calm wind conditions),” the Crown corporation wrote. The situation improved a lot when Alberta Parks implemented fees for firewood, causing campers to be more judicious in their use. »

The response from the authorities, and in particular from SEPAQ, does not satisfy Daniel Vézina, who founded an organization, Familles Air Pur, to advance his cause. Quebec solidaire’s environmental critic, Alejandra Zaga Mendez, has agreed to sponsor a petition to the National Assembly.

“We ask that national public health authorities analyze the risk in detail and issue appropriate recommendations to mitigate the risk to the health of vulnerable populations, and more particularly to the health of children,” Mr. Vézina said. The Press.