Health and Safety Tips

When wildfires grow strong and the wind is not in our favour, smoke will cloud the air and make it less enjoyable, or even difficult, to spend time outdoors. During these times, it is important to be aware of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and plan your daily activities accordingly. Spending too much time outside when the air quality is poor can be damaging to your health and should therefore be avoided when possible.

Air Quality Health Index

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Yellowknife can be found online. Read up on suitable activities for varying air conditions to ensure you are staying safe amidst poor air conditions.

In addition to monitoring the AQHI, residents can also view a live map forecast of smoke from wildfires online. This tool can be used to assess the air quality forecast for the coming days and can help you to avoid smoky areas when planning trips outside of Yellowknife.

Protect yourself from smoke exposure

During a smoky wildfire season when the outdoor air quality is poor, follow the steps below to protect your health while indoors.

Reduce sources of indoor air pollution by:

Not smoking indoors
Mopping instead of vacuuming
Not burning incense or candles
Not using wood stoves

Prevent infiltration of outside air by:

Properly sealing windows and doors, and keeping them closed
In homes with forced air ventilation, installing a high-quality air filter to remove particulate matter from the incoming air
Setting the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system to recirculation mode
Limiting the use of exhaust fans when not cooking

Other strategies for attaining better air quality indoors include:

Using a portable air purifier, with a HEPA filter if possible, to clean the air within your home
Installing and maintaining at least one carbon monoxide alarm in the home to detect the presence of poisonous gas caused by smoke

Health implications caused by smoke

There are many useful online resources that outline the implications of wildfire smoke and the actions to take to mitigate health risks. Check out the GNWT’s website for general information on air quality, Guidelines for Protecting Community Health and Well-being as well as a Wildfire Smoke Information Sheet. More information on Wildfire Smoke, Air Quality and your Health can also be found on the Government of Canada’s website.

Emergency numbers for physical health issues

If you are experiencing extreme health issues caused by smoke (or otherwise) and are in need of assistance, please utilize the following emergency and help lines:

Dial 9-1-1 to request an ambulance or have someone check up on you
Dial 8-1-1 to get advice on less urgent health matters