Hay River, NT

3:22 PM MDT Sunday 30 June 2024

Wildfire smoke is causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility. Improvement is expected by Tuesday as winds shift. During heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk. People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke such as seniors, pregnant women and pregnant people, people who smoke, infants and young children, people who work outdoors, people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise and people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Listen to your body and if you experience symptoms, reduce or stop outdoor activities. Symptoms can include milder and more common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as serious but less common symptoms such as chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance. Limit time outdoors. Consider rescheduling or cancelling outdoor sports, activities and events. When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool. Always seek out and follow health guidance from local authorities. Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air purifier that can filter fine particles. If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health. Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke. Take care of your mental health. Learn more at canada.ca/wildfire-smoke. For more information on air quality and your health, please visit the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services at hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/environmental-health/air-quality. Visit airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. Issued by Environment Canada and the Northwest Territories Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Health and Social Services

3:19 PM MDT Sunday 30 June 2024

Daytime high temperatures of 27 to 31 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows of 14 to 16 degrees Celsius continue. Thick smoke may affect daytime high temperatures. Temperatures will be cooler on Tuesday. Extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. The health risks are greater for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people with physical and/or mental illnesses, and people with disabilities or mobility issues. Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions. Drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration. Check several times a day on older family, friends and neighbours. Make sure they are cool and drinking water. Reduce your heat risk. Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct sun exposure. Shade yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed, breathable hat and/or an umbrella. Never leave people, particularly children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Watch for early signs of heat illness (feeling unwell, fatigue, thirst, headache) as these can rapidly evolve into life-threatening emergencies. Move to a cooler environment immediately, such as a shaded or air-conditioned space. When it’s hot, eat cool, light meals. Avoid using the oven. Keep your house cool. Turn on your air conditioning (if possible), block the sun by closing curtains or blinds, or relocate to a cooler location such as a basement or public cooling centre. All workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool or shaded space. Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to NTstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #NTStorm. Issued by Environment Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories