8 Nunavik communities affected by smog due to wildfires

Residents of eight Nunavik communities are being warned to be aware of bad air quality due to active forest fires in southern regions.

Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services released an advisory Thursday about the issue.

Kangirsuk, Aupaluk, Tasiujaq, Kuujjuaq and Kangiqsualujjuaq on the Ungava coast, and Inukjuak, Puvirnituq and Akulivik on the Hudson coast are affected.

At the time of writing, Environment Canada had also issued a special air quality statement for the affected communities in Nunavik, advising people to limit time outdoors, and when indoors, to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

Seniors, pregnant women, people who smoke, infants, people who work outdoors or people with existing illnesses are more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.

People exposed to smoky air can experience irritated eyes or sinuses, a runny nose, mild cough, sore throat, headaches, or in more severe cases, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, heart palpitations and chest pain.

There are currently 28 active wildfires in northern Quebec, the biggest ones being in James Bay region, according to Quebec’s society protecting forest against forest fire (SOPFEU).

In total, there have been 153 fires in the region this year, affecting nearly 2,308 square kilometres of forest.