(Toronto) Much of the center of Canada and Manitoba are subject to warnings or special bulletins on air quality on Monday due to the smoke of forest fires which ravage certain provinces.
Environment Canada advises to limit the time spent outside and monitor symptoms of smoke exposure.
The Federal Agency reports that regions of Ontario and Quebec will have poor air quality and reduced visibility, because western winds bring smoke from forest fires that are rampant in the meadows.
In Quebec, these warnings affect certain sectors of Nord-du-Québec, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Laurentides and Outaouais.
Environment Canada indicates that regions of southern Ontario, from Windsor to Ottawa, are the subject of a warning on air quality due to smoke, adding that the conditions could persist all day and until Tuesday.
The Toronto Air Health Rating was greater than 10, a “very high risk” on Monday morning.
South of Ontario and Quebec were also placed in heat warnings on Monday, Environment Canada providing for maximum temperatures up to 32 ° C during the day.
“In the event of extreme heat and poor air quality, the priority is to be cool,” recommends Environment Canada.
The meteorological agency has also broadcast a special air quality bulletin for a large part of Manitoba, stressing that the air quality and the visibility due to the smoke of forest fires can fluctuate over short distances and vary from hour to hour.
Environment Canada recommends residents to limit the time spent outside and be attentive to symptoms related to smoke exposure.
Although the health of all is threatened by the smoke of forest fires, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, young children, people with a health problem as well as those working outside are more likely to suffer from the effects of atmospheric pollution, the agency said.
“Take news from your neighbors, friends and family, especially people most at risk of being affected by air pollution,” reads the special organizational bulletin, which suggests keeping the windows and closed doors as much as possible.
Environment Canada specifies that symptoms of smoke exposure include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache or a slight cough. More serious, but less common symptoms include chest pain and severe cough.
The meteorological agency recommends citizens to wear a well -adjusted respiratory mask, such as a N95 mask, if they have to go out.