Vulnerable groups such as children, youth, seniors, pregnant women, and those with asthma, heart disease or other underlying health conditions should limit outdoor activities and move indoors if they see or smell smoke. Residents with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should monitor their symptoms, continue taking prescribed medications and follow the advice provided by their healthcare professionals. 

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AB-EPA) has deployed portable and mobile equipment to monitor air quality near the fire since September 9. Air monitoring data is collected and reviewed by Alberta Health Services. There were hourly average readings above Alberta’s ambient air quality guidelines identified in the monitoring and residents in areas directly downwind of the fire may still experience smoke and related health effects. The greatest potential for smoke exposure remains in areas directly downwind of the fire, including Douglasdale, Quarry Park, East Shepard, McKenzie Town, New Brighton, Copperfield, and other neighbouring communities. 

People in areas affected by smoke may experience symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, increased mucus production, coughing or headaches. Residents who experience these symptoms should reduce their exposure to smoke where possible.  

CFD recommends residents in affected areas: 

• keep windows and doors closed, including attached garage doors
• reduce physical activity indoors and outdoors, as needed
• turn furnace thermostats down and furnace fans to the minimum setting. If you have a forced air system to heat or cool your home, upgrade your furnace filters to the highest efficiency filter your system can handle.
• avoid using ventilation systems or whole-house fans that bring outdoor air into the home
• keep air conditioner fresh-air intakes closed and filters clean
• close fireplace dampers on wood-burning fireplaces
• use a high-quality air filter or air cleaner/purifier, if available
• check on family members, neighbours and others who may be more vulnerable to smoke
• call Health Link at 811 if they have health concerns related to smoke exposure
• seek immediate medical attention for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain or other medical emergencies  

Residents should remain aware of changing conditions where they are located. Exposure can vary based on distance from the fire, wind direction and speed, time spent outdoors, and proximity to visible smoke or odours.  

Please contact Health Link at 811 to speak with a registered nurse if you have questions or concerns related to smoke exposure or air quality. In a medical emergency, including chest pain or severe difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1 or seek immediate medical attention. 

Fire suppression and air quality monitoring continue at the site. 

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Calgarians can expect to see members of the CPS Marine Unit and CFD at various boat launch sites, and on the water, with CFD members conducting regular water patrols and sharing safety information with boaters while on the water. 

The CPS Marine Unit will also be sharing key safety information near launch sites and explaining the potential penalties and fines for failing to comply with water safety laws.

If your family is planning to go floating, boating, paddleboarding or kayaking down the Bow and Elbow rivers, or enjoy a community lake this summer, don’t forget that where there’s water, there’s risk.

This means each person is wearing a properly fitted and tightened life-jacket or a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times.

When paddleboarding, wearing an ankle leash on a standup paddleboard on the river is very dangerous as you can get tangled up and pulled under water. Stay safe and leave the leash at home when using standup paddle boards on the river. You can put your contact information on your board in case you fall off and lose your board.

Even experienced boaters can easily run into unexpected trouble, including:

• Quick changes in water flow rate, direction, and currents
• Unexpected weather changes
• Faulty rafts, boats, or PFDs
• Throughout the summer months, there will be ongoing efforts to maintain a high visibility uniform presence at various parks and pathways where rafters, boaters, and floaters start and finish their trips. It’s also required that any water vessel have life-jackets or PFDs worn by all passengers at all times, a sounding device like a whistle, a buoyant heaving line (throw-bag) no less than 15 metres long, and a water bailer.

In an effort to keep Calgary’s waterways family-friendly, it is also worth noting that police will enforce regulations around consuming and/or transporting of alcohol or drugs, which is dangerous and illegal.

The Calgary Police Service would like to remind those looking to have some fun on water this summer to:

• Always make the safety of yourself and others a priority
• Assess the swimming skills of those in your group
• Always wear a life-jacket – check the size and weight restrictions and ensure the life-jacket fits properly, remember to zip up all zippers, click all buckles and pull straps to properly tighten  
• Plan ahead: check weather conditions, river flow rates, water quality reports and safety advisories
• Bring the right supplies: a first aid kit, cellphone, bottled water, hats and sunscreen, a whistle or air horn, and a paddle to help you control your vessel
• Never tie watercrafts together on the river

If you or another boater are in danger, or you suspect impaired boating behaviour, call 911 immediately. To learn more about staying safe on the water this summer, visit calgary.ca/watersafety.

 

Calgary Fire Department continues to urge citizens to use caution when using outdoor open flames, including barbeques and backyard fire pits and when disposing of smoking materials.

“Despite the ban being lifted, everyone should continue to be extra cautious with outdoor flames –especially the disposal of smoking materials,” says Public Information Officer Carol Henke.

“Calgary fire crews continue to respond to outdoor fires created by the improper disposal of smoking materials in planter pots and flower beds,” adds Henke. “These fires can smoulder for hours and lead to devastating and potentially deadly fires.”

Citizens are also urged to familiarize themselves with City bylaw standards for fire pits in order to help keep their communities safe and be good neighbours: calgary.ca/firepits

For more information on Calgary fire bans and fire safety advisories, please visit calgary.ca/firebans or contact 311. Remember to always call 9-1-1 to report a fire.