Here comes the smoke: Health officials tell B.C. to prepare for new ‘5th season’

Move over autumnal equinox, there’s a new season in town.

That’s the somewhat cheeky message from the BC Centre for Disease Control, which is advising British Columbians to be ready to protect themselves from the potential harmful effects of worsening air quality as wildfires begin to flare up once again.

The agency has created a new hub with health information for residents, with fact sheets on health concerns, air cleaners and tips on how to prepare for the anticipated smoke.

“​In addition to spring, summer, fall and winter, B.C. has added a fifth season to its calendar — wildfire season,” states the site.

“And with the month of May now in full swing, fires are already burning in parts of the province.”

Sarah Henderson, a senior environmental health scientist at the BCCDC, says with annual smokey summers becoming a reality, British Columbians will need to be prepared to protect their health.

 

Read more…

(Image: Haze covers parts of Metro Vancouver. (Photo taken July 6th, 2015) (Twitter via @bethyscotty))

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