An air quality advisory and a burn ban have been issued for Grand Forks due to the amount of particulate in the air.
According to a memo issued by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Friday morning, the air quality advisory has been issued in cooperation with Interior Health as a result of high concentrations of find air particulates, likely as a result of an increased use in wood stoves as temperatures have dipped over the last several days.
IH advises residents with underlying medical conditions to postpone strenuous exercise and stay indoors where possible. The risk of exposure is highest for the elderly, infants, and those with diabetes, heart and lung disease.
The memo also includes open burning restrictions for two days for areas within 10 kilometres of Grand Forks City Hall. The restriction means no new open fires can be set, or new material added to any existing fires. This does not affect residents’ wood stoves used as the primary source of heat in the home, IH notes.