Kamloops fire department responding to alarms set off by wildfire smoke | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops fire department responding to alarms set off by wildfire smoke

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The wildfire smoke in Kamloops has caused the fire department to respond to several fire alarms.

“We definitely had a fire alarm yesterday for smoke from outside,” said Kamloops Fire Rescue Platoon Capt. Darryl Cooper.

“It’s unusual but it’s not unexpected with this amount of smoke.”

Yesterday, crews attended to a smoke detector set off by wildfire smoke in a commercial building, he said adding, they received a few calls about smoke impacting fire alarms within the last few weeks.

“The one we went to, the bay doors were open, so there was a lot of smoke in there.”

He recommends residents to keep doors closed and let an air conditioning filter or furnace filter keep the smoke out of the air.

“Smoke detectors can be set off by steam from a shower too, because of the particulates in the area. Right now, the particulates in the air are setting off detectors,” he said.

Cooper wasn’t aware of any other communities that are also seeing smoke detectors being set off by the smoke.

There is an incredibly high concentration of particles in the air today in Kamloops with the Air Quality Health Index listing the city as 10+, meaning there is a “very high health risk” and residents should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. The health index is measured on a scale of 1 to 10+, with 10+ having the greatest health risk.

A special air quality advisory is also in effect for the region due to wildfire smoke.

With hot and dry temperatures, Cooper also recommends residents to be careful with outdoor activities to prevent wildfires.

 


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