Air Quality Alert for London Continues This Weekend

Even though there were hopes for better air quality on Friday, London is still under a high-risk air quality alert. Environment Canada has indicated that smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario could keep affecting the area through the weekend.

The weather agency’s orange warning for air quality remains active, with a rating of 10+, which means very high risk. In the meantime, Air Quality Ontario continues to predict a health index that poses serious risks.

“Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario is causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility,” Environment Canada stated. “Poor air quality may persist into the weekend.”

Dr. Alex Summers, medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, mentioned that current conditions represent the highest level of risk on the Air Quality Health Index.

“When the air is this poor, as you can tell when you walk outside, you can almost taste the smoke,” he said.

“We really advise folks, particularly people who are at risk – those over 65, people who are pregnant and children – to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and outdoor physical exertion.”

Summers noted that everyone can be impacted by these smoky conditions, no matter their age or overall health status.

“It’s really important that people recognize that everyone’s health can be affected,” he said. “If you start to experience eye, nose or throat irritation, headaches or a cough, those are signs to move indoors or reduce your physical exertion outside.”

Environment Canada issued its first air quality warnings of this year on Wednesday amid multi-day heat warnings that have since eased off. Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario has continued hanging over southwestern Ontario, causing some of the worst air quality ratings globally.

Outdoor events canceled

Organizers have canceled Rock the Park for the second night in a row, citing health and safety concerns due to wildfire smoke. (Alessio Donnini/ )

In London, organizers of the annual Rock the Park event in Harris Park had to cancel Thursday’s lineup because of worsening conditions.

The London Fire Department has also put a stop to all open-air burns until air quality improves.

The City of London has kept outdoor recreation facilities and sporting amenities closed until further notice.

Community centers will remain open to provide indoor relief for residents of London. Outreach teams will connect with individuals experiencing homelessness to share information about cooling locations and available supports that can help lower health risks.

Summers advised people to keep monitoring updates from Environment Canada, Air Quality Ontario and their local health unit before resuming normal outdoor activities.

“The guidance from those agencies can be the most instructive way to know when we’re returning to normal,” he said.

He also encouraged everyone to rethink outdoor plans while this alert is active. “I think sometimes we hesitate to cancel plans we’ve made when environmental factors suggest we might need to reconsider,” Summers said. “Especially if you’ve got children or folks involved in outdoor activities; it’s OK to say, ‘Today we’re not going to do that because the weather just isn’t going to support us doing this in a healthy way.'”

Turn on your headlights

With visibility being reduced by smoke, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) recommend drivers turn on their full headlights even during daylight hours. “Even during daylight hours, smoke can make it difficult for other drivers to see,” said Ed Sanchuk spokesperson for OPP West Region. “Your vehicle’s headlights help increase your visibility and allow other road users spot you sooner reducing collision risks so please turn on your headlights whenever visibility is reduced by smoke fog rain or other weather conditions.” #OPP Safety Reminder: Daytime Running Lights Aren’t Always Enough
With smoke reducing visibility be sure your full headlights are on so both front and rear lights are illuminated helping others see you on road Turning on your headlights is one easiest ways… pic. twitter. com/d Xwaupq3cb -OPP_WR

Sanchuk also recommended leaving extra space between vehicles watching out for changing road conditions and staying alert for emergency vehicles. Summers pointed out that events like these are happening more frequently making it essential for people prepare themselves ahead of time for future occurrences of poor air quality. “As we see across Canada heat events and poor air quality events like this are increasing,” he said “It’s really important we have conversations about what we can do protect ourselves during these events.”
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