LAKELAND - Thick, acrid smoke from wildfires raging across the province that has blanketed the Lakeland region in recent weeks caused local schools and minor sports associations to cancel outdoor activities, games and practices last week. The smoke and air quality conditions are being closely monitored by area officials who watch over kids.
Charissa Delaire, the assistant principal at J.A.Williams High School in Lac La Biche, said staff at the school, like all others in the Northern Lights Public Schools division, frequently monitor the provincial Air Health Quality Index (AQHI). Should the level of smoke in the air pose a risk to student safety, as a rule, outdoor activities are postponed until such time when it is safe.
“There is a flag football league that plays in the spring and due to hazardous air quality, we have had no other choice but to cancel a number of games so far,” Delaire stated.
The precautions so far have helped to minimize any adverse reactions due to the smoke cover.
“While some students do have health issues – and we keep tabs on them - so far, we haven’t noticed any significant changes.”
Like its public counterpart, the Lakeland Catholic School Division conducts daily monitoring of conditions, closely following the recommendations set forth by Alberta Health Services regarding air quality statements.
“School principals, upon referring to the air quality index, determine the risk of having students outside and engaging in physical activity, including recess,” said Meagan MacEachern, the communications officer for the Catholic school district that stretches across the Lakeland. “This also includes rescheduling sporting events due to poor air quality.”
Alberta overwatch
The provincial government has been providing many resources to Albertans regarding the constantly evolving wildfire situation, including alerts when air quality levels pose a significant risk to public health.
“The province has an abundance of online information designed to assist and keep the public up to date,” said Logan Clow of Alberta Health Services. “People can text ‘wildfire’ to 88111 to receive information on air quality, how to report a wildfire, resources for planning ahead, mental health supports, and support for Albertans affected by the wildfires.”
This recurring invasion of hazy, smoke-filled skies has also provoked action by local environmental organizations such as LICA, Bonnyville-based Lakeland Industry and Community Association. Michael Bisaga, the manager of environmental monitoring programs, confirmed that LICA’s network of remote stations that observe air quality on a 24/7 basis throughout the Lakeland region have been very active as of late.
“These stations monitor several substances of interest, including particulate matter, which is the main pollutant in wildfire smoke. Particulate matter is especially concerning to us as it degrades air quality and causes potential health risks,” Bisaga explained. “Data from our network is used to determine the Air Quality Health Index, which uses a scale from one to 10. The lower the number, the lower the health risk, and vice-versa.”
In recent days, the air quality scale for several areas of the Lakeland were as high as eight.
The Post reached out to officials with the Lac La Biche Minor Ball Association, who replied in a statement that when the Air Quality Health Index reaches a level of seven, or higher, all outdoor games and practices are cancelled, with the association making every effort to reschedule the cancelled events.
Cooler weather with forecasted rain that began last weekend and is expected to continue into the week is expected to give firefighters some help in fighting fires. Air quality ratings across the Lakeland are down to low and moderate ratings to start the week.
Despite the rains, air quality from smoke continues to be an issue in several areas of the province. On Thursday, air quality in the Calgary and Airdrie areas was at a high health risk.
