Air quality advisory in effect for Thebacha Region and Yellowknife due to smoke

There was a light smoky haze over Yellowknife Monday morning (John McFadden/CKLB photo)

There is an air quality advisory in effect Monday for the Thebacha Region including Fort Smith and the Salt River Reserve as well as Yellowknife.

Wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility at times.

Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath.

Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk. If you, or someone in your care, develop symptoms, reduce strenuous outdoors activities where ever possible until the air quality improves.

When outdoors, if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce strenuous physical activities.

If you experience irritation of eyes, nose or throat, shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms, you should take action to reduce your exposure to smoke.

If you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms, contact your health care provider for advice.

If you or those in your care are exposed to wildfire smoke, consider taking extra precautions to reduce your exposure.

Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health.

For more details, please consult www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-quality-health-index/wildfire-smoke.html.

About the Author

John McFadden
John has been in the broadcast journalism industry since the 1980s. He has been a reporter in Yellowknife since 2012 and joined CKLB in January of 2018. John covers the crime and court beat as well as reporting on other areas including politics, business, entertainment and sports. He won seven national community newspaper awards while he was a journalist with Northern News Services Limited (NNSL). John worked in Ontario before coming North including stints as a TV sportscaster in Peterborough and senior news writer for CBC and CTV in downtown Toronto.