2nd Air Quality Advisory of 2023
Press Release
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special air quality statement advising high levels of air pollution will develop due to smoke from forest fires.
As a result of wildfires burning in northeastern Ontario and Quebec, the wildfires are producing smoke that is anticipated to move into the Orillia area the afternoon or evening of June 27. The air quality statement is anticipated to stay in effect until at least Thursday, June 29.
The City of Orillia advises anyone who needs relief from the smoke to visit the Orillia Recreation Centre or the Orillia Public Library during the following hours:
Orillia Recreation Centre
8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Orillia Public Library
Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The City’s Recreation, Youth and Culture Division is monitoring effects to outdoor City-run programs and will provide any updates through social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. Everyone can take actions to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.
Stop outdoor activities and contact your health care provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains. Stay inside if you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit advises taking the following steps to protect your health when air quality is poor:
- Limit outdoor activities and strenuous physical activities on smoky days
- Consider wearing a well-fitted respirator type mask (e.g., NIOSH, N95 or equivalent) if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Use a portable HEPA air cleaner to filter the air in a room where you spend a lot of time.
- Reduce sources of indoor air pollution, including smoking and vaping, burning incense and candles, using air purifiers that produce ozone, and using wood stoves.
- If indoor temperatures are comfortable, close windows and doors. If you have an HVAC system in your home, use the highest rated MERV filter for your system (ideally rated 13 or higher) and set the fan to recirculate air constantly. Limit the use of the exhaust fan when cooking to prevent outdoor air from coming indoors.
- Visit public spaces like community centers and libraries which tend to have cleaner, cooler indoor air.
- When driving, keep windows up and set the air conditioning to the recirculate air setting to limit intake of outdoor air.
(Image Supplied)
