‘Deteriorated’ Hamilton air quality due to wildfire smoke could continue through the week

Baseball games, mountain biking and an elementary track meet have been cancelled as smoke from wildfires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec hangs over Hamilton.

High levels of air pollution" are expected across the city this week, warned a special weather statement issued early Tuesday afternoon.

Smoke plumes from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario may result in deteriorated air quality through most of this week," reads the statement issued by Environment Canada and the province.

Air quality and visibility can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," it reads.

On Tuesday afternoon, air quality indexes for Hamilton's downtown, west end and Mountain indicated a high risk" to health.

On the Mountain, the air quality health index hit a level 10 (on a scale of 1 to 10) Tuesday evening, and is expected to fluctuate between moderate and high risk until at least Thursday. Downtown was at a level 6, on the upper end of moderate risk," as of 6 p.m.

When the index is at a level 7 or higher, at-risk populations, which includes those with heart and lung conditions, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors," Environment Canada advises. The general population should also consider the same if they experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation."

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone's health even at low concentrations," the Environment Canada statement reads.

But people who suffer from conditions like asthma and heart disease, as well as older adults, children, pregnant people and those work outdoors, are at a higher risk of health effects of wildfire smoke.

To protect your health, reduce exposure to smoke, Environment Canada advises.

Those who feel unwell should stay indoors, they recommend. To keep indoor air clean, close windows and use an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in high-use rooms.

Masks, especially those with a respirator, like an N95, can help reduce exposure to the fine particles in smoke," which typically pose the greatest health risk, the statement reads.

Levels 1 to 3 are considered low risk," and anything above 10 is considered very high risk."

Outdoor activities cancelled in Hamilton

An elementary track meet scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled amid health concerns over the hazy Hamilton skies, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board spokesperson Shawn McKillop told The Spec.

The meet, expected to draw about 650 HWDSB students in grades 6 to 8, was scheduled to begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. is listed online as the inclement weather" date.

For all students, outdoor activities, recess and sports are off limits Wednesday amid the air quality alert, the city's largest board said in a letter to families Tuesday.

As a precaution, we will be keeping students indoors on Wednesday ... and will continue to monitor air quality over the course of the week," it reads.

The board recommends teachers reschedule outdoor activities until further notice," use classroom HEPA filters, close windows and return indoors if breathing becomes uncomfortable."

Chair Pat Daly said the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board will follow public health advice, and how it's handled at individual schools would remain at the discretion of the principal."

Meanwhile, Freewheel Cycle in Dundas cancelled a mountain bike group ride Tuesday evening.

Due to the poor air quality from the wildfires sending smoke through Ontario, we have made the decision to cancel this evening's Dirt Girls MTB ride," the Dundas bike shop wrote on Instagram.

The West Mountain Baseball Association also cancelled all activities on Tuesday, according to its website.

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com