Tara Jeffrey
A special air quality statement remains in effect for Sarnia-Lambton after Air Quality Health Index ratings reached levels considered to be 'very high risk' due to forest fire smoke plumes this week.
Conditions are expected to improve for some areas on Thursday night, according to Environment Canada. "Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," the statement noted. "Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. Everyone can take action to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke."Sarnia Fire Rescue Services is once again instituting a temporary ban on all open-air burning, due to wildfire smoke impacting air quality in the area.
“In line with the city’s Open Air Burning Law, recreational and rural open-air burning is prohibited during air pollution events,” a news release noted. “The temporary ban includes all recreational burning such as backyard fires and rural burning.”
A burn ban was also implemented earlier this month due to the smoke, caused by forest fires over northeastern Ontario and Quebec.Sarnia Fire Rescue says it will continue to monitor air quality conditions daily and will lift the ban when current air pollution levels have decreased to an appropriate level.
Meanwhile, Lambton Public Health says Air Quality Health Index ratings for Lambton County reached levels considered to be ‘very high risk’ as of 2 p.m., Tuesday.