Air quality in Brandon down to ‘moderate risk’

The Brandon area is expected to hit level 5 today on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s air quality health index.

Wind is blowing smoke from fires in western provinces toward Westman. The level 5 rating is considered a “moderate risk.” The scale goes from level 1 to 10+.

Christi Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said Westman hasn’t had a lot of smoke compared to the rest of the province.

“There’s lots of smoke a little further north from (Brandon) and further towards the east, but that southwestern corner of Manitoba has been seeing that air quality changing quite a bit, and quite a bit more varied,” Climenhaga said.

She said most of the smoke from the fires in northern Manitoba have been drifting southeast, completely missing Brandon. The smoke that is hitting Brandon, she said, has mostly been from fires in northern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia.

Climenhaga said that as of now, it isn’t likely that air quality alerts will go off in the Westman region, but that the wind can be hard to predict, and that could change.

“A little early to say at this point exactly — with smoke forecasting, it can be very tricky and can change very quickly,” she said. “But as of now, it looks like kind of status quo is what we’re expecting in the region for the next little while.”

Since Brandon saw a 10+ rating over the weekend, the index has hovered between levels 2 and 5. Overnight tonight and Wednesday, the level is expected to descend to a 3.

Climenhaga said starting at level 4, people should avoid spending extended periods of time outside, especially if they are at risk. People most at risk include seniors, young children, pregnant women and people who are sick. It also includes people who have long-term illnesses, like cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart conditions.

Once ratings get higher, everyone should avoid the outside.

“It puts you at a higher risk of some of those effects of wildfire smoke, that feeling it in the back of your throat, headaches, cough, things like that,” said Climenhaga.

Climenhaga said there isn’t any rain in the forecast until at least the weekend to combat the wildfires in the north. She said even when rain is expected to come, it’s hard to predict how much rain there will be, and there might not be a lot.

Meanwhile, donations are pouring in from across the province to help evacuees who were forced out of their homes in northern Manitoba.

Cindy Allard, donations manager with the Manitoba Métis Federation, said they are most in need of bins to store donations in.

“We have so many donations, but we don’t have anything to put them into. We don’t have a way of moving it around,” said Allard. “It’s really overwhelming.”

She said the MMF has received a lot of donations of everyday items, but that they’re still looking for more as the evacuation lasts.

“The support is awesome — everybody’s donating all kinds of stuff,” Allard said.

Needed donations include clothes, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products and children’s items. The items for children include diapers, wipes, formula, small toys and colouring books.

Donations can be dropped off at the MMF office in Brandon at 656 Sixth St.

Allard said people can also donate money on MMF’s website.

At the same time, a campground in Souris is opening its doors to evacuees. The Souris and Glenwood Agricultural Society offered to let evacuees stay at the Souris Fairground while away from home.

“It’s just being good community members helping others out when they’re in need,” said Pamela How, vice-president of the ag society. “We figured if somebody had their camper and needed a place to stay.”

She said the campsite has a bunch more sites this year, making it possible to offer to evacuees.

How said no one has taken them up on their offer yet, but that once people settle in a little bit more, they will get tired of a hotel room and will want a change.

She said they are prepared to host anyone with a camper up to the end of the summer.

How said the campsite also has a barn for horses if needed.

To reserve a site, you can text your information to 204-729-7513.

alambert@brandonsun.com