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Terrible air quality due to 100's of wild fires burning....

Posted , 5 users are following.

terri69807
terri69807

For the last week or so we have been experiencing record breaking temps.

and awful air quality due to smoke and particles of ash, etc. from wild fires

burning all over our province of B.C. Canada.  For a few days I did try to

stay inside with windows closed, however, I'm on my own and had to go out.

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same type of sitiuation?  If so, did you wear a mask when outside?  Any suggestions

would be much appreciated.  Thanks.

 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • jude65855
    jude65855 terri69807

    Posted

    It's winter now in the mountains where I live in Australia, but I dread this exact situation come summer.   I have masks of the type used by our community firefighters, purchased in the local hardware shop, and I keep some in the house and some in the car.

    Wildfire smoke can be deadly for people with COPD and heart conditions, soif I were you I wouldn't be going outside at all without one.   

    If we have bushfires here this summer I'm planning on staying with my daughter, who doesn't live far enough away to be in a totally smoke free area, but it will be safer for me than staying in this beautiful valley which traps the smoke.   However I know from past experience that when there are many fires burning for a long time there's really nowhere totally free of smoke for hundreds of miles.

    I'm on my own too, so I really feel for you.   Please, get yourself some masks ASAP!

     

    • terri69807
      terri69807 jude65855

      Posted

      Thanks Jude.  Message received loud and clear, off to buy masks.

      Take care.

    • jude65855
      jude65855 terri69807

      Posted

      Thanks - you take care too.  

      At least at this time of the year here we only have to put up with idiots burning great piles of green stuff, which they're not supposed to do in winter.   And then there are the idiots who either don't clean their chimneys or burn green or damp wood and create more smoke ....

      In spring and autumn there are legal burnoffs by government departments, intended to reduce the fuel load when bushfire season comes, but which a lot of think are totally over the top.

      Can't seem to get away from it for any length of time.

  • sandy58386
    sandy58386 terri69807

    Posted

    Where do you live, Terri?  We live in Colorado and we are even getting slight smoke fallout from the California fires!!
    • terri69807
      terri69807 sandy58386

      Posted

      I live on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia in

      Canada.

  • fred72964
    fred72964 terri69807

    Posted

    What I do in the UK is I use either surgical masks or a builders mask. When the pollution is very high I sprinkle water onto the fabric, This appears to reduce the toxins coming through the mask. I have used this way for a couple of years after a nurse told me to try it. It does not cost a lot to see if it helps you
    • jude65855
      jude65855 fred72964

      Posted

      The type of mask I use is the same as used by the Country Fire Authority here in Victoria and is specifically designed to be used against high smoke condiitions.  Whatever works, I guess
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