Thick smoke from wildfires blankets city, prompts health warnings

A thick blanket of grey smoke settled over the Capital Region this weekend, care of the many wildfires burning in the northern reaches of the province.

Environment Canada listed Edmonton and most of northern Alberta as "high risk" on its Air Quality Index and advised people to limit the amount of time they spent outside.

Alberta Health Services issued a similar warning. Dr. Chris Sikora, the chief medical officer of health for Edmonton, said the young and elderly are most susceptible to bad air quality. However, under current conditions, they aren't the only ones that could be in trouble.

"For the general population, they're actually quite at risk as well," he said.

"Even for [people] that don't have medical conditions they can get a cough, tickle in their throat, even scratchy eyes."

He also warned about the heat, cautioning about the possibility of heat stroke and dehydration. Sikora recommended postponing outdoor activities until the smoke clears up.

That was not an option for everyone. Despite the heat and the poor air quality, events continued Saturday at the Track Town Classicat Foote Field.

U.S. runner Sanya Richards Ross said the thick smoke reminded her of a different competition: the thick air pollution during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"This reminds me of 2008 when we were in Beijing. There was so much fog. It was difficult conditions there," she said.

Still, she said the thick smoke would likely not have an effect on the standings at the end of the day.

"They had the Olympics and we ran well at the end of the day, we all have to run in the same conditions."

Environment Canada forecasts that the smoke will lift some on Sunday, but predict the air quality will likely still be considered "high risk."