Special air quality statement ended for Ottawa

After three days of a hazy sky, and the smell of burnt pine in the air, the special air quality statement for Ottawa has ended.

The statement was first issued on Monday, June 5, due to several fires raging in western Quebec, with the closest being near Cayamant, which is roughly 125km away from the capital.

As of 6:00 a.m., Thursday, June 8, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Ottawa sat at a 3, which is considered “low risk.”

At its worst this week, the capital’s AQI was at a 10-plus, making it the poorest air quality in Canada.

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Earlier in the week, due to air quality concerns, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) emailed parents on Tuesday, June 6, stating that schools have been asked to keep students indoors for recess and any other physical education or extracurricular activities. The Ottawa Catholic District School board has also followed that directive from Ottawa Public Health. 

Under the special air quality statement, those considered at greater risk of health issues when exposed to wildfire smoke are include older adults, pregnant people, infants and young children, as well as people who work and exercise outdoors, people involved in strenuous, and people with existing illness or chronic health conditions.

However, the AQI is expected to rise again on Friday, June 9 as the wind shifts once again.

A number of health units in Ottawa and the Valley issued tips on how to limit exposure including the Renfrew County and District Health Unit.

They are:

• Keep windows and doors closed as long as the temperature is comfortable
• Use recirculation settings on your HVAC system to prevent smoke from entering your
  home
• Use a clean, good quality air filter in ventilation systems
• Use an air purifier that uses HEPA filtration to remove smoke from your home
• Visit community centres, libraries, and shopping malls, as these places often have
  cleaner filtered air and can provide a break from smoke
• Drink plenty of water to help your body cope with the smoke

Mild symptoms of smoke exposure can include headaches, a runny nose, and phlegm, while more severe symptoms include chest pains, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

At it’s worst, the City of Ottawa was blanketed in a red, smoky haze.

Ottawa this morning.#ottawa #smog #wildfire #forestfire #ottawaNews @ctvottawa @CTVNews @CTVOttMornLive @CBCOttawa @CityNewsOttawa @ottawacity @environmentca #ottawaNews pic.twitter.com/SOxBgQzZCr

— Abe Bourgi (@boodythebest) June 6, 2023

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding residents that “smoke from wildfires can be harmful to everyone’s health, even at low concentrations,” and to reduce time spent outdoors to lower exposure to wildfire smoke.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated a forest fire was burning in Cayamant; however, the fire is near the town, not in. We’re sorry for any confusion this detail may have caused.