While the smoke from different wildfires goes across the Cariboo, people should be aware of their health while outdoors.
People with underlying conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiac issues especially need to be aware of the air quality. This, along with taking measures to avoid wildfire smoke as much as possible.
“These people are more sensitive to the affects of the smoke which can cause inflammation in the body, and can cause these folks to have flare-ups of other conditions or increase symptoms.” says Jacqueline Turvey, Community Respiratory Therapist for Interior Health in Kamloops.
Some measures you can take to avoid any affects on health include stopping or reducing your activity level, staying cool and drinking fluids, and anyone with chronic illnesses should carry fast acting medications.
Turvey added that every year that we have wildfires, more people are being affected. Ones previously affected have additional exposure, so the risk of health conditions could flare-up once again.
For more information on wildfires and air quality, you can visit the province of BC’s website here.