Public Health recommendations during wildfire season
Air Quality
Air quality in Eeyou Istchee will vary during the forest fire season.
- Air quality conditions can change quickly across our territory, and can vary in each community on any given day.
- Enjoy time outdoors when the air quality is good. Open your windows to air out your home.
- If air quality is poor, it’s recommended to stay inside, and limit physical activity outdoors.
- If there is a lot of smoke in the air, seal your windows and doors. Your community may set up a clean air space where people can get out of the smoke.
- Public Health and the Emergency Response Team use Purple Air to monitor regional trends in air quality. The Purple Air website provides real-time data on air quality measures captured by sensors installed in Eeyou Istchee communities.
- Consult the Purple Air Map for air quality conditions right now
- Consult the Fire Smoke map to see what may be coming, and to help you plan
MASKS
N95 or KN95 masks are not recommended for extended use indoors (at the office or other buildings)
Enjoy time outdoors when the air quality is good.
- If air quality is poor, it’s recommended to stay inside, and limit physical activity outdoors.
If the air quality is poor on a given day, and you need to be outside, it’s recommended to wear a N95/KN95 mask that fits snugly.
N95 and KN95 masks are available for community members and businesses operating on the territory. Please contact the community’s PSO or emergency response team.
If you have questions about wildfires in Eeyou Istchee or Cree Health Board recommendations to protect your health during the fire season:
Support
Wiichihiiwaauwin (Mental Health) Helpline
Service available 24/7. Cree speakers and Elders are available upon request
Air Quality and Health Recommendations
Learn how to build a purifier to improve indoor air quality during episodes of forest fire smoke.
Learn more about clean air sites open to people during episodes of forest fire smoke.
The Cree Board of Health recommends you wear a mask in certain situations to protect yourself and people around you.
Adjust your activities during high levels of air pollution to protect yourselves and your family.
As wildfire burns through forests and grasslands, it produces dense smoke that can be a major source of toxic air pollutants.
Forest Fire Information
Purple Air
Map of Air Quality
Smoke Forecast
from Firesmoke
SOPFEU
Fire Map
Returning home from an evacuation
During an evacuation due to wildfires, ash, soot or smoke residue may have gotten inside of homes and buildings.
Check food for signs of going bad, even if it was stored in the fridge and there were no power outages at your home.
There are steps you can follow to cover financial losses from damaged goods, whether you are insured or not.
Be prepared in case of an emergency
A grab-and-go bag is a pre-packed bag that contains essential items that you might need in case of an emergency or disaster.
The best way to help ensure your family's safety in an emergency is to have an emergency plan.
There are many things to consider when you go home after a forest fire evacuation
