Kananaskis, Canmore have worst air quality in Canada after wildfires

Wildfire smoke hasgiven two southern Alberta spots Kananaskisand Canmorethe worst air quality in Canada on Monday.

According to IQAir, a Swiss company that ranks places by air quality index (AQI) and air pollution (PM2.5),the air at these locations is considered hazardous.

As of mid-day Monday, Kananaskis, which the site labels as "Wildrose," has an AQI of 352 and PM2.5that is 30 times above the World Health Organization'sexposure recommendation.

The Town of Canmore, just east of Banff,is only a few points lower, with an AQI of 350 and a PM2.5 that is 29times above the WHO'sexposure recommendation.

A good AQIis in the 0 to 50 range.

These locationsare near a wildfire that began late Friday afternoon along Highway 1, east of Dead Man's Flats and west of Calgary.

The fire had burned six hectaresas of Saturday evening, when it was brought under control.

Smoke is also coming from wildfires to the west,in theBritish ColumbiaInterior.

Some of the largest and most dangerous fires are burning in theKamloops region, where most of the new evacuation orders have been issued.

Despitethe fires causing air quality issues in B.C., the air index there was still lower than in Kananaskisand Canmore as of midday Monday withLumby, B.C., third on the list with an AQI of 314. Lumbyis around 100 kilometres from the White Rock Lake fire, whichhas been classified as out of control for weeks.

Calgary has felt the impacts of the smoke for days now, and according to Environment Canada, it is ranked as high risk on the Air Quality Health Index.

As of midday, visibilityhad also dropped below 2.5 kilometres in the area.

WATCH | Thick smoke blankets Calgary

B.C. fires cover Calgary in smoke

3 years ago

Duration 0:44

Air quality and visibility plummeted as smoke and ash crossed the mountains and settled in southern Alberta.

It's expected to stay this way until Tuesday, when the risk is projected to drop to low.

Rain is also in the forecast, with an expected 15 to 25 millimetres Monday evening and 10 moreby Tuesday afternoon.

So far, Calgary has had 415 hours of smoke this summer nearing the 2018 record of 450 hours.