Air quality is expected to gradually improve in Quebec Monday

While the last few days have been marked by poor air quality in many regions of Quebec, the situation should gradually improve on Monday, according to Environment and Climate Canada.

Early in the day, a special weather bulletin regarding air quality continued to cover a large part of the province, including the Montreal and Quebec City regions.

It stated that smoke from wildfires raging across the Prairies continued to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.

“The smoke afterwards is driven mainly by the wind circulation,” said Alexandra Cournoyer, spokesperson of Environment and Climate Change Canada. “So, it’s really the wind that we’ve had at the upper level that has shifted the smokes to our province. This past weekend was the worst of it. And then also today was pretty bad, it should improve overnight. And then by tomorrow morning, we should see better air quality.”

However, “the situation will gradually improve during the day,” the bulletin read.

When air quality is poor, the weather agency recommends that people limit their time outdoors and reduce or reschedule outdoor sports, activities and events.

“Some people can be more affected than others,” said Cournoyer. “So older people or little infants can be more affected. People can really try to stay away from the outside air. So, try to stay in a ventilated area or inside their house.”

The smoke causing this poor air quality comes from the approximately 700 forest fires currently raging across the country, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Like Quebec, Ontario is also subject to special weather bulletins regarding air quality.

“The best thing for people to do is really to try to stay updated with the main weather statements and alert that are given to the public,” added Cournoyer.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews