A special air quality statement has been issued as smoke from the ‘Old Man Lake’ wildfire in Sooke has reached the Saanich Peninsula. See the full air quality advisory at gov.bc.ca/airqualityadvisories
Wildfires increasingly affect air quality, it's crucial to recognize the dangers of wildfire smoke and adopt protective measures. During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.
People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations. Learn how to take action to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke at islandhealth.ca/wildfires
During smoky conditions
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on local air quality forecasts and advisories from trustworthy sources like AQMap
- Reduce your smoke exposure: When smoke is present, stay inside and create a smoke-free space by sealing windows and doors.
- Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
Running a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can improve indoor air quality in the room where the device is located. - If you have a forced air heating/cooling system in your home, it may help to change the filter and set the fan to run continuously.
- Reduce indoor air pollution sources such as smoking, burning incense, and frying foods.
- Consider going to a library, community center, or shopping mall with cooler filtered air to get some relief from the smoke.
- If travelling in a car with air conditioning, keep the windows up and the ventilation set to recirculate.
- Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
- Island Health provides support for heat-related illness and wildfire smoke inhalation, call 250.388.2273
What we're doing
The District of Central Saanich’s Municipal Hall in Saanichton and Fire Station #1 on Keating Cross Road are now the sites of air monitoring devices. The monitors report real-time air quality measurements on a website the public can easily access. The air contaminant of greatest concern is PM2.5, which refers to particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in diameter. This contaminant can travel deep into the lungs and become lodged there, causing heart and lung disease, and premature death. These particles are primarily due to outdoor burning, wood burning appliances, and forest fires.
The District has installed PurpleAir monitors, which use laser particle counters to measure these fine particles in the air. The measurements are uploaded to an online map in 10-minute intervals.