The Parkland is remaining under a special air quality statement this weekend.
The smoke is coming from forest fires in BC and Alberta.
Dr. Mahmoud Khodaveisi a medical officer of health for Prairie Mountain Health shares how increased exposure to smoke can affect your heart.
“Smoke is made up of a number of components, unhealthiest contaminants is small particles. How smoke condition may affect the heart is determined by a number of factors. For example, the length of time they are exposed, the health status, and the concentration of smoke in the air.”
A cold front tracking across northern Manitoba today will bring some improvement to far northwestern Manitoba this afternoon. Meanwhile, central and southern portions of the province will likely see the persistent smoke cover over the region for the remainder of the weekend and beyond.
In general, wearing a mask is not the best way to protect your health during a smoke event. In fact, masks may lead to a false sense of security, which may encourage increased physical activity and time spent outdoors, meaning increased exposure to smoke. They can also make breathing more difficult.
