Wildfires and Your Health

If you are a resident of Prince George and have been here throughout the summer, you will have tolerated a large amount of smoke over the last couple of months due to wildfires across BC. While others throughout BC have complained of the smoke in their areas, I believe that we in the Northern parts of BC have taken the brunt of it.

Last year, we also had a lot of smoke to deal with, but this year, in particular, I noted some of the direct effects of the smoke on my own health. I have spent the last couple of weeks with stuffed up sinuses, headaches, and some mild coughing.

How has the smoke affected you?

Did you know that some people are more at risk of being affected by the smoke than others? If you fall into any of the following categories it is important to pay close attention to the air quality advisories:

Older adults: you are more likely to have heart or lung disease than younger people

A person with heart or lung disease: heart failure, angina, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or asthma

Young children and teenagers: their respiratory systems are still developing, they take in more air (and therefore air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults, they are more likely to be active outside, and they are more likely to have asthma

Diabetics: are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular disease

Pregnant women: because there could be potential health effects on the developing fetus

As this wildfire season is drawing to a close, what we are reading is that the wildfire seasons will likely continue to worsen in the future.

What can you do to protect your self and your loved ones? Prepare for the season ahead of time.

When next year’s wildfire season is upon us, pay close attention to the weather and air quality advisories. Have N-95 or P-100 masks on hand. Dust masks or surgical masks DO NOT protect your lungs from the fine particles in wildfire smoke.

If you have been advised to stay indoors – do so! Keep windows and doors closed – unless it is extremely hot outside. Take the opportunity to air your home when air quality improves. Consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter, especially if you are in the “at risk” categories mentioned earlier. Do not burn anything including wood stoves, gas stoves, or even candles. Close dampers.

When traveling in your vehicle, turn the air system on re-circulate and keep the windows closed. Avoid cigarette smoke.

If you or any loved ones experience the following conditions, seek medical help right away: