By Adam Berls

wildfire smoke

Smoke blanketing Prince George expected to last several days

Jul 11, 2023 | 3:07 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Thick smoke is blanketing Prince George and the surrounding area from wildfires across Northern B.C.

You can see it, you can smell it and it is unavoidable. The air quality in Prince George has gotten worse in recent days with thick smoke blanketing the city. On the air quality health index, the rating for Prince George is as high as you can get.

“We’ve seen that rated at the ten plus category. That is the very high risk category, which means that the general population and the at risk population should consider reducing their activity outside and taking precautions to reduce their exposure to the smoke.” – Annie Seagram, Air Quality Meteorologist

When it comes to wildfire smoke, there are very small fine particles in the air known as PM 2.5 that can go deep inside your lungs.

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“That is another technical term for fine particulate matter. Wildfires emit a lot of PM 2.5 into the air along with other gases and fine PM is the really small particles in the air that when you breathe in can go deep into your lungs. And that’s why we have a concern for how it impacts your health.” – Annie Seagram, Air Quality Meteorologist

When it comes to certain health impacts from wildfire smoke, everyone will be affected differently. Milder and more common symptoms of smoke exposure include headaches, a mild cough, sore and watery eyes and nose, throat and sinus irritation. More serious but less common symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pains.

With over 300 wildfires currently burning in BC, the smoke doesn’t show any signs of letting up soon, so taking precautions like staying indoors whenever possible and filtering indoor air are important to limiting your exposure.

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Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com