Environment Canada – Special Air Quality Statement – 6:05 AM MDT, May 17, 2023.
Please be advised, Environment Canada has updated their Special Air Quality Statement for the Lethbridge and area region. This includes areas of the Blood Reserve. Smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility at times. Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. People with health conditions such as lung or heart disease, elderly persons, children, pregnant women, or people that work outdoors are at higher risks at experiencing health effects caused by smoke.
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers advises that Blood Tribe members stay indoors as much as possible. Dr. Tailfeathers recommends wearing masks and goggles if you must go outside and stresses if you have asthma or respiratory illnesses, make sure you have your puffers and medication at hand.
Environment Canada suggests stopping or reducing your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feels unwell. Taking breaks from the smoke at a location in your community where you can find clean, cool air. Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice.
More information can be found on the Environment Canada website or the Alberta Health Services website.
Environment Canada – Lethbridge Air Quality Health Index: https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/abaq-006_e.html
Alberta Health Services – Air Quality Events: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/air.aspx
If you are feeling unwell due to smoke on the Blood Reserve, please contact the Blood Tribe Department of Health at (403)737-3888. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911.
Stay safe,
Blood Tribe Communications & Community Engagement
