20250830-aqwarning-issue

Author: GakingBC

frontend/warnings/2025-08-30_wildfire_smoke_issue.md

@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+---
+author:
+- Gavin King
+authors:
+- Gavin King
+customMessage: There are new fire starts across the province, expect
+  smoke near to active fires.
+date: 2025-08-30
+ice: Issue
+location: Central Interior
+params:
+  customMessage: "`Custom message.`"
+  ice: Issue
+  location: Multiple locations in B.C.
+  nextUpdate: 2025-02-10
+  sel_aqMet: Sakshi Jain
+  selRegionsIDs:
+  - Watson Lake
+  - Prince George
+  - Whistler
+  - South Okanagan
+  smokeDuration: "`24-48 hours`"
+smokeDuration: 24-48 hours
+title: Air Quality Warning - Wildfire Smoke
+toc-title: Table of contents
+type: wildfire_smoke
+---
+
+<!--
+Copyright 2025 Province of British Columbia
+
+This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
+To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
+-->
+<!-- Logo header, the layout-col should be set based on number of logos including FHNA and BCGov-->
+<!-- the trailing slash means the text in square brackets is alt text -->
+
+::: {layout-ncol= 5 layout-valign="bottom"}
+
+![Government of British Columbia logo](/assets/logo_BCID_V_RGB_pos.png)\
+
+![First Nations Health Authority logo](/assets/logo_FNHA.png)\
+
+![Interior Health Authority logo](/assets/logo_IH.png)\
+
+![Vancouver Coastal Health Authority logo](/assets/logo_VCH.png)\
+
+![Northern Health Authority logo](/assets/logo_NH.png)\
+
+:::
+
+The Regions of BC highlighted on the map are being impacted or are
+likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.
+
+There are new fire starts across the province, expect smoke near to
+active fires.
+
+During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short
+distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.
+
+Monitor the situation for any wildfires near your area at
+[EmergencyInfoBC](https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/). Follow all
+emergency announcements relevant to your location.
+
+The next update will be available on August 31, 2025 and made available
+on the Province's [Air Quality Warnings
+webpage](https://aqwarnings.gov.bc.ca/).
+
+![A description of Region(s) included in this Air Quality Warning is
+provided at the end of this page. This Air Quality Warning excludes the
+area managed by Metro Vancouver. Refer to the More Information section
+for a link to air quality notifications issued by Metro
+Vancouver.](2025-08-30_wildfire_smoke_issue_map.html){fig-alt="Air Quality Warning - Wildfire Smoke Regions for August 30, 2025: Cariboo (North), Chilcotin, Prince George."
+width="100%" height="600px"}
+
+## Actions you can take
+
+As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors.
+Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
+
+People more likely to be negatively impacted by outdoor air pollution
+should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek
+medical attention if experiencing symptoms. This includes people aged 65
+and older, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people with
+an existing illness or chronic health condition such as chronic
+obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and diabetes, and
+people who work outdoors.
+
+## During smoky conditions
+
+{{< accordion_controls >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Follow your common sense" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes
+    uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
+
+-   Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
+
+-   Carry any rescue medications with you at all times.
+
+-   Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves
+    follow the same advice.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Monitor your symptoms" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Different people have different responses to smoke.
+
+-   Mild irritation and discomfort such as eye, nose and throat
+    irritation, headaches or a mild cough are common, and usually
+    disappear when the smoke clears.
+
+-   More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains
+    or severe cough.
+
+-   People with asthma or other chronic illness should follow any
+    personal care plans designed with their family physicians.
+
+-   If you are unsure whether you need medical care, call HealthLink BC
+    at 8-1-1.
+
+-   If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing, chest pain or
+    discomfort, or a severe cough, contact your physician, walk-in
+    clinic, or emergency department. If you are having a medical
+    emergency, call 9-1-1.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Tips to reduce your smoke exposure" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so
+    stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
+
+-   When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
+
+-   When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality,
+    prioritize keeping cool.
+
+-   Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include
+    using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system
+    and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine
+    particles.
+
+-   If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting
+    and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified
+    N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine
+    particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there
+    can still be risks to health.
+
+-   Check on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more
+    likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.
+
+-   Always follow guidance from local authorities.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+
+## More information
+
+**For additional general information about wildfire smoke and air
+quality:**
+
+::: bcds-card-wrapper
+{{< card_start title="Air Quality Health Index" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}}
+Provincial summary of latest index and forecast.
+
+[What's the air like
+today?](https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/data/aqhi-table.html)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="Air Quality Map" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}}
+Provincial air quality data refreshed every hour.
+
+[Latest air quality
+data](https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="Environment and Climate Change Canada FireWork" variant="danger" logo="/assets/icon_smoke.svg" >}}
+Air quality maps of next 72 hours.
+
+[Air quality forecast maps](https://weather.gc.ca/firework/index_e.html)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="FireSmoke Canada" variant="danger" logo="/assets/icon_smoke.svg" >}}
+BlueSky Canada smoke forecasting system.
+
+[Smoke forecasts](https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="Metro Vancouver Air Quality" variant="success" logo="/assets/icon_chart.svg" >}}
+Advisories and map of air quality and weather data.
+
+[Air quality data and
+warnings](https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/air-quality-data-and-advisories)
+{{< card_end >}}
+:::
+
+**For additional general information about wildfire smoke and your
+health:**
+
+::: bcds-card-wrapper
+{{< card_start title="BC Centre for Disease Control" logo="/assets/logo_BCCDC.png" >}}
+Fact sheets on wildfire smoke and its health impacts.
+
+[Wildfire
+smoke](http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke)
+{{< card_end >}}{{< card_start title="Interior Health Authority" logo="/assets/logo_IH_horizontal.png" >}}
+Steps to prepare and manage wildfire-related issues.
+
+[Wildfire public
+information](https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/natural-disasters-and-emergencies/wildfires)
+{{< card_end >}}{{< card_start title="First Nations Health Authority" logo="/assets/logo_FNHA_horizontal.png" >}}
+Information and resources to help you prepare.
+
+[Wildfire smoke health
+information](https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/wildfire-smoke-health-information)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="HealthLink BC" logo="/assets/logo_BCID_HealthLinkBC_RGB_pos.png" >}}
+Learn and prepare for wildfires. Phone 8-1-1 for 24/7 health advice.
+
+[Wildfires and your
+health](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-library/health-features/wildfires-and-your-health)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="Worksafe BC" logo="/assets/logo_worksafebc.jpg" >}}
+Info on working outdoors during smoky conditions.
+
+[Wildfire
+FAQ](https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/wildfire-smoke-frequently-asked-questions-faq)
+{{< card_end >}}
+:::
+
+## Contact
+
+**Media and public inquiries regarding air quality and the Air Quality
+Warning for wildfire smoke:**
+
+{{< card_start width="wide" >}} Gavin King`<br />`{=html}Senior Air
+Quality Meteorologist`<br />`{=html}Ministry of Environment and
+Parks`<br />`{=html}250-312-6798 {{< card_end >}}
+
+**Media questions regarding health implications of wildfires:**
+
+{{< card_start  width="wide" >}} First Nations Health
+Authority`<br />`{=html}Environmental Public Health Services or Main
+FNHA Line: 604-693-6500 `<br />`{=html}After Hours:
+1-844-666-0711`<br />`{=html}Email:
+Ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca`<br />`{=html}Media line:
+604-831-4898`<br />`{=html}
+
+Interior Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Media line:
+1-844-469-7077`<br />`{=html}Email:
+media@interiorhealth.ca`<br />`{=html}
+
+Northern Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Media Line:
+1-877-961-7724`<br />`{=html}
+
+Vancouver Coastal Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Email:
+media@vch.ca`<br />`{=html}After-hours media line:
+604-202-2012`<br />`{=html} {{< card_end >}}
+
+## Regions included under this Air Quality Warning
+
+-   Cariboo (North): includes Quesnel, Wells and Bowron Lake Park.
+-   Chilcotin: includes Hansville, Alexis Creek, Chilanko Forks, Tatla
+    Lake, Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake, and the southern half of Tweedsmuir
+    Park.
+-   Prince George: includes the City of Prince George, Hwy 16 Bednesti
+    to Upper Fraser, and Hwy 97 Hixon to the south end of McLeod Lake.