A special air quality statement remains in effect for London and the region as smoke from distant wildfires continues to blow into southern Ontario. Environment Canada says hazy skies and elevated pollution levels can be unhealthy for health, especially for sensitive residents.
Image From: (Environment Canada)
The warning comes as a lingering heat warning remains in the region, sustained by calm conditions and a steady southerly flow that keeps pumping hot, humid air into the area.
“We’re in a good weather setup to attract heat from the south and southwest,” Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Ian Hubbard said. “The air gets a little warmer each day and a little more humid as we look ahead.”
But it’s not just the heat that’s causing concern. According to Hubbard, smoke from forest fires burning in the north of Ontario and further west has been carried in on favorable wind patterns.
“That smoke is contributing to the concentration of fine particles on the ground. We’ve observed high concentrations where the health effects are high enough that we’ve published a special air quality statement,” Hubbard said.
The combination of warm weather and poor air quality is a risky test for the elderly, young children, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
Image From: (Huntsville Doppler)
Environment Canada is calling on Londoners to stay indoors, especially as the heat and pollution gets into the air.
Relief is potentially at hand, though.
“We anticipate that conditions will improve tomorrow,” Hubbard said. “It’s hard to say exactly when, but definitely by tomorrow evening the air will be better and the next few days will be fine from a smoke standpoint.”
But this will not be a one-off. With wildfire seasons becoming longer and more frequent right across Canada, Hubbard says London can expect smoky skies more often this summer and in future years.
“Each wildfire poses its own unique situation,” he explained. “It really depends on where the smoke originates and how the weather moves it. Some of it stays higher in the atmosphere, but when it’s close enough, it sinks to ground level and that’s what we’re seeing now.”
Air quality in London has been fluctuating between high and moderate-risk levels all day long. The public can monitor real-time conditions on the Environment Canada website and are asked to stay hydrated by drinking water, seek air-conditioned spaces, and check on neighbors.
