Wildfire smoke remains over the Lloydminster region, with the nearest official air quality station still forecasting high risk conditions for Tuesday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, or AQHI, runs from 1 to 10. The number climbs as health risk increases. Cold Lake, the closest AQHI station to Lloydminster, sat at 6 on Tuesday morning, in the moderate risk range, and is forecast to climb to 8, high risk, later Tuesday before easing to 6 overnight and 5 by Wednesday.
Lloydminster itself isn’t tracked on the AQHI network, since it straddles two provinces. IQAir, which does monitor the city directly, had the local air quality index at 157 on the separate US AQI scale early Tuesday, in the unhealthy range, with fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, at 64.2 µg/m³. IQAir’s hourly forecast shows the number easing steadily through the day, dropping into the low 50s by evening.
The two scales use different math, so they aren’t directly comparable. But taken together, they point the same direction: smoke is still here, and conditions are shifting quickly hour to hour.
Who’s most at risk
Health Canada says people should check in on neighbours, friends and older family members who may be more vulnerable to smoke, especially those who are chronically ill.
That includes older adults, pregnant people, infants and young children, and anyone with an existing heart or lung condition.
What to do during a smoke event
If you must be outside, a well-fitted respirator-type mask, such as a NIOSH-certified N95, can help reduce exposure to the fine particles in smoke. Health Canada notes a mask will not filter out the gases in wildfire smoke, only the particles.
People are encouraged to listen to their bodies and cut activities short if symptoms show up. If smoke lingers for several days, Health Canada suggests finding an indoor space with cleaner air to stay active, such as a gym or community centre.
Anyone who works outdoors is advised to check with their provincial occupational health and safety organization or local health authority for guidance on working safely during a smoke event.
Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician and wildfire researcher based in Yellowknife, said wildfire smoke is a growing concern nationwide.
“It really is one of the biggest public health threats we have in Canada,” said Howard.
The bottom line
Conditions are moving fast, with the region now under a yellow air quality warning from Environment Canada. The warning says smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, and that conditions can change rapidly, sometimes within hours. Residents are advised to limit time outdoors, keep windows and doors closed where possible, and check in on vulnerable neighbours until the warning lifts.
