Tri-Cities residents can sign up to be notified anytime there’s poor air quality in the area.
The provincial government announced British Columbians can enter their email into a website to automatically receive the advisories and smoky skies bulletins, which will also include appropriate health advice and actions that can be taken. There are 76 sites across the province measuring air quality hourly and residents can request notifications from a specific site. In the case of the Tri-Cities that would be the one labeled Metro Vancouver NE.
"All British Columbians need and deserve clean air, and we also deserve to know right away when there are pollutants in the air that may affect our health or well-being," said environment minister George Heyman in a press release announcing the service. "I urge people, especially those with pre-existing health conditions or who are more vulnerable, to sign up for these notifications so they can stay healthy and take preventative measures if needed."
Advisories are sent when measurements exceed the short-term provincial air quality objective, said the release.
"Poor air quality poses health risks to people with chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and it can particularly affect the elderly, pregnant women, infants and small children," said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer. "The new auto-alert function will allow easy access to the level of risk in your area, so you can take steps to protect your health and the health of your family."
Air quality can change quickly during wildfire season, said Sarah Henderson, senior environmental health scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control. "Knowing when a smoky skies bulletin has been issued for your area can give you and your family more time to get ready."
The subscription service is expected to also be available through text starting next year. More information on the service is also available online. The province also has an air quality website, and one giving information about the province’s air quality objectives.
