Air quality alerts issued in Nova Scotia as wildfires burn
Environment Canada has issued air quality alerts for Shelburne County and western Halifax County due to the presence of wildfire smokes.
The statements say that smoke has reduced visibility and air quality in areas downwind of the fires. The smoke is currently being transported eastward in a west wind. The smoke will move southeastward later Sunday evening as the wind direction becomes northwest.
Smoke plumes from three wildfires in the Maritimes visible on satellite imagery. One in southwestern N.B., one in southwestern N.S., and one in Halifax County, N.S. Those source area marked with a red X.
The statements recommend to "stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell. Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice".
Current air quality observation sites near Halifax have the index rated as 4 or moderate risk.
Much of Nova Scotia is under a no-burn order with the wildfire danger assessed as high-to-extreme by Natural Resources Canada. New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island also have elevated fire danger ratings.
The fire danger risk is rated high-to-extreme for large areas of the Maritimes.
There is little good news in the weather forecast for helping combat the wildfires. A weak cold front is dropping north to south across the region tonight. The front will cool temperatures and turn winds to a more north/northwest direction. There is no significant rain associated with the front.
Despite cooler temperatures on Monday, the air will remain quite dry with low, relative humidity. A north wind with gusts of 30 to 50 km/h will continue through Monday morning into early afternoon. The wind is forecast to diminish late afternoon into evening.
High pressure will be in place for much of the upcoming week. It may be as late in the week as Friday before we have a chance of more widespread rain or showers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.