A special air quality advisory is in effect for the Omineca region, due to the wildfires in the Ootsa Lake area near 亚洲天堂 Lake.
The advisory, issued by Environment Canada earlier this morning ( Sept. 6 ), warns of elevated pollution levels in the Omineca region of northern B.C. Residents in 亚洲天堂 Lake, Vanderhoof and Fort St. James also reported soot and ash in the area.
Real time mapping of Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas showed elevated levels as of Friday (Sept.6) evening.
亚洲天堂 Lake recorded a 'hazardous' US AQI of 414 as of 4 p.m. on Sept. 6 鈥� four times above the recommended levels. Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) concentration in 亚洲天堂 Lake was recorded at 282.3 碌g/m鲁 , which is currently 56.5 times the World Health Organization annual air quality guideline value.
The real-time mapping of US AQI in neighbouring areas such as Vanderhoof also showed 'very unhealthy' levels. The PM 2.5 concentration around Vanderhoof was around 179.6碌g/m鲁 at the same time . This is currently 35.9 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
Lakes District and the Omineca region are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.
Health Authorities advise caution, especially for people with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals.
