Metro Vancouver is stuck in the doldrums with no wind in sight and forest fire smoke continuing to choke the region.
Maple Ridge’s air quality health index hit a high of nine, on a scale of 10 being the worst, as of Monday morning. Pitt Meadows had the same reading, according to Metro Vancouver’s air map.
Metro Vancouver said on Sunday that it’s continuing its air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter due to smoke from wildfires burning. Elevated levels of fine particulate matter are expected to persist until there is a change in fire or weather conditions.
Metro Vancouver offers the following tips:
Avoid roads with heavy vehicle traffic and areas with wood smoke.
Stay cool and drink plenty of water.
Continue to manage medical conditions such as asthma, chronic respiratory disease and heart failure. If symptoms continue to be bothersome, seek medical attention.
Maintaining good overall health is a good way to reduce health risks resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.
For people with chronic underlying medical conditions:
Stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment and reduce indoor sources of pollution such as smoking and vacuuming.
Run an air cleaner. Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce indoor particulate levels provided they are the right size for your home and filters are changed regularly.
Consider taking shelter in air-conditioned buildings which have large indoor volumes and limited entry of outdoor air.