Richter Mountain fire was sparked July 24 by lightning.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/BCWildfire

SIMILKAMEEN - If you're in the Similkameen, including Princeton, expect to deal with some smoky skies today.

Interior Health issued a smoky skies bulletin today, July 27, for the area closest to the Richter Mountain fire, which is currently mapped at 250 hectares and expected to grow through the day.

They noted that during a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

Wildfire smoke, according to IH, is a natural part of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health.

People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.

During smoky conditions:

• Follow your common sense
• Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes difficult 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. Monitor your symptoms
• Different people have different responses to smoke. Mild irritation and discomfort are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears.
• People with asthma or other chronic illness should activate the personal care plans they have 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 health care provider, walk-in clinic, or emergency department.If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

Tips to reduce your exposure:

• Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
• Running a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can improve indoor air quality in the room where the device is located.
• If you have a forced air heating/cooling system in your home, it may help to change the filter and set the fan to run continuously.
• Reduce indoor air pollution sources such as smoking, burning incense, and frying foods.
• Consider going to a library, community center, or shopping mall with cooler filtered air to get some relief from the smoke.
• If travelling in a car with air conditioning, keep the windows up and the ventilation set to recirculate.
• If you are very sensitive to smoke, consider moving to another location with cleaner air, but be aware that conditions can change rapidly.
• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.

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