Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change. Check the BC Wildfire Dashboard Map and smoke forecasts to look for active wildfires and how smoke could affect our region in the next 48 hours. As smoke conditions may change within hours, you should frequently check Central Okanagan current air quality conditions and smoke forecasts to make an informed decision.
Installing a HEPA Filtration unit, also known as an air purifier , in your home can help prevent harmful, smoky air from entering your residence. Air purifiers are portable appliances that filter out really tiny particulate matter PM - 2. These ultrafine particles are the most common and dangerous component of wildfire smoke.
HEPA air filtration units typically come with replaceable carbon pre-filters that also remove the volatile organic compounds in wildfire smoke, such as benzene, acrolein and formaldehyde. Pre-filters take care of larger particles such as pollen, too. And one more bonus: because the units blow out filtered air, they double as fans! Portable filtration units use small HEPA filters and plug into a standard wall outlet in your home.
HEPA air filters work best when all windows and outside doors are closed. Buy the right air filtration unit to fit the room where you'll use it most frequently, such as the bedroom. Most units list the size of room they can filter effectively. Be sure to have filter replacements available. During prolonged smoke events, the filter's efficiency could be affected. From public notices to Council agendas, career posting to bidding opportunities, we offer quick and timely email updates on a number of topics.
Skip to main content Close. Your weather when it really matters TM. Please choose your default site Americas Canada - English. Kelowna, BC. The higher the number, the greater the health risk associated with the air quality. A health risk category that describes the level of health risk associated with the index reading e.
Health messages customized to each category for both the general population and the 'at risk' population. Current hourly AQHI readings and maximum forecasted values for today, tonight and tomorrow. At-Risk Population Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. Skin conditions may arise, due to the irritating effect that chemicals and fine particles can have on the body.
Acne, psoriasis, eczema and atopic dermatitis may all appear, as well as instances of skin cancer going up in more severe cases particularly when pollution exposure is prolonged over extended periods. Conditions of the pulmonary and cardiac variety are common to also present themselves, with instances of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD appearing. This is an umbrella term that contains within it several respiratory ailments, which include asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.
When exposure is more severe, as is the case when large clouds of smoke, haze and fine particles drift over a city such as during the wildfire events taking place of late July of , more serious health conditions will appear.
These include heightened risks of heart attacks, cancer, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, stroke and even death. Many cases of premature deaths are attributed directly to pollution exposure each year, both in Canada and throughout the world, with this number becoming more prominent in areas that have consistently high pollution numbers.
It has a size of 2. These materials can be ones such as sulfates, metals, microscopic water vapor, mold spores which can vary in their classification depending on the size , as well as soot, dust and silica particles. Once inside the lungs, due to its minute size, it can pass into the bloodstream via the alveoli or small air sacs whose main function is the transportation of oxygen.
Damage to blood vessels can be incurred, along with many of the ailments that were mentioned in the previous question. As a rule, the smaller the particle size is, the more danger it can present. Despite having extremely high levels of air pollution present in its atmosphere towards the end of July in , Kelowna, like many cities in Canada, also sees significantly cleaner air quality.
Canada ranks amongst one of the cleanest countries in the world, with many of the different provinces and their various cities having PM2. Even during the highly polluted month of July, with the advent of many fires and their polluting fallout, there were still days in which the US AQI reading fell within the most optimal rating bracket, although due to the nature of smoke and other clouds of fine particles or haze, they were somewhat on the higher end of the 'good' air quality rating spectrum.
Readings of 47 and 50 appeared over certain days, despite being surrounded by other days with vastly heightened US AQI figures. This shows that with the absence of wildfires, Kelowna can have its pollution levels drop down to far more optimal levels, even with lingering pollution in the direct vicinity and nearby areas. This 'good' air quality rating bracket requires a US AQI reading of 0 to 50 to be classified as such and indicates a period in which the population can go about their daily activities without respiratory irritation, or the aggravation of pre-existing health conditions such as asthma along with the variety of other COPD related ailments as mentioned previously.
This air quality rating is color-coded as green, in the same manner as the more polluted air quality ratings are, only with corresponding lighter colors for more optimal levels of air cleanliness. Despite the US AQI readings coming in on the absolute higher end of the 'good' rating, the target was still nevertheless met, giving Kelowna some prominent respite during the dangerously polluted month of July.
Data for and years prior has not yet been properly recorded and calibrated, and as such onwards will show a clearer picture of how the air pollution levels in Kelowna truly are. These are subject to change over time, and much like the pollution forecasts, should be checked upon for future changes and updates. For the present era, with wildfires being a significant threat to all inhabitants of Kelowna, the previously mentioned preventative measures should be put into place and utilized by all citizens, particularly by those who are more at risk and have the potential to suffer severe adverse effects.
In closing, Kelowna can have a great level of air quality, yet still shares many of the pollutive issues that British Columbia is subject to. Increasing information on air quality is becoming available, due to further emphasis and importance being placed on the topic to safeguard the health of its citizens, as well as the various ecosystems and environment.
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US AQI 5. Overview What is the current air quality in Kelowna?
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