By Sheena Roszell

Air quality Health Index climbs to Very High in region

Aug 10, 2018 | 10:53 AM

UPDATE: (6:15 p.m.) The Peace Air Shed Zone Association says the AQHI is now at 8 in Grande Prairie, 7 in Beaverlodge, and 5 in Rycroft. 

Some very significant numbers are showing on the Air Quality Health Index for the region.  As of 10 a.m. Friday, Beaverlodge was at a 14, Grande Prairie 11 and Rycroft 10. 

Anything over 7 is considered high risk.

“The first thing is to reduce your exposure, don’t spend time outdoors if you don’t have to,” explained Elizabeth Bell, Executive Director for the Peace Airshed Zone Association (PAZA). “Close your windows, close your air vents, put your air conditioning to recirculate rather than drawing in air from outside.”

She says people should also reduce emissions.

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“Rather than adding to what’s already happening outside, take transit, not running your lawn mower in this kind of air condition, and no fires or barbeques either.  Not adding to the smoke.”

She says when the numbers are this high it is not uncommon to see ashes, as those fine particles are being carried through the air.

Bell expects the index to hover between 7 and 8 today, but we could see what Beaverlodge is experiencing. 

According to Environment Canada’s forecast, the index is expected to go down to a moderate risk tonight, and to a low-risk tomorrow.

PAZA is updating the index every hour.