Air Quality Advisory issued for Valemount

By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG

The Northern Health Authority, along with the Ministry of Environment and Parks, issued an air quality advisory warning for the Village of Valemount at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. The advisory is anticipated to remain in place until weather conditions improve, according to the release.

During air quality advisories, Valemount residents are required by the Village’s Wood Burning Appliance Regulation Bylaw to heat their homes with sources other than a wood stove, if possible.

The warning was issued in response to high levels of PM2.5 – a term for airborne particulate matter that can include substances such as dust and wood smoke. PM2.5 was measured at an average of 94.3 micrograms per cubic meter over the past 24 hours, well above 25 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Province considers to be the threshold for acceptable air quality.

View the full advisory below:

Inhaling PM2.5 can cause coughing and irritate the eyes and nose, according to Health Canada. It can also aggravate chronic conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

Exposure is particularly concerning to people with respiratory infections such as COVID-19, seniors, infants and pregnant women, says the advisory. Those who are able to should stay indoors, filter their air if possible, and avoid strenuous exercise, it adds. The advisory also encourages residents to restrict their use of wood stoves if possible and reduce vehicle idling. 

The Province updates its air monitoring dashboard with data from Valemount’s air monitoring station hourly, which can be accessed at: https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/data/station.html?id=E234293.