Health index hits a “nine,” highest since smoke rolled in

Hope Fire Department fire chief Tom DeSorcy predicted earlier in the week that air quality will deteriorate as the week went on, and indeed it has.

Air quality deteriorated starting Monday. On Monday, Environment Canada put the air quality health index risk in the “low” category, meaning that the general population could continue their outdoor activities. By Tuesday morning, that escalated to a “seven” or “high risk” health index. By Wednesday, that escalated to an “eight” at 8 a.m. and then to a “nine” at 9 a.m, the highest since the smoke rolled in.

Environment Canada advises that people with people with heart and lung conditions are most affected by air pollution and asks that people at risk consult a health guide, a doctor or local health authority. They add that exposure to air pollution may cause healthy people to experience irritated eyes, increased mucus in the nose or throat, coughing or difficulty breathing, especially during exercise.