Air quality in Fort McMurray a ‘significant issue:’ Alberta premier
Posted May 16, 2016 10:24 am.
Last Updated May 16, 2016 11:15 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the air quality in Fort McMurray almost two weeks after a vicious wildfire hit the city is a significant issue.
Notley says the air quality health index — usually measured on a scale of one to 10 — currently sits at 38. The index takes into account contaminants, smoke, ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
“It is clear that this is something that could potentially delay recovery work and a return to the community. The good news is that the response personnel, up until this point, had been making faster-than-anticipated progress on their re-entry work within the city,” she says.
The poor air is expected to be an issue for at least the next 24 to 48 hours.
Repair and recovery workers in the city are wearing respirators.
