If you notice a haze in the air on Wednesday in Chatham-Kent, that's smoke -- not fog.
Environment Canada said the region is still under a special air quality statement and officials are advising you to avoid going outside if you can.
Information from Ontario's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) indicates that conditions really started to deteriorate at around 4 p.m. Tuesday, reaching the "High Risk" category at that time.
At 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the AQHI in Chatham-Kent was recorded at 16 -- well above the "High Risk" category, which is from 7-10.
The smoke is drifting down from northern Ontario and Quebec and should clear out by Thursday, but until then, you are advised to avoid breathing in the air outside.
All of the smoke in the air also prompted officials with the CK Public Health unit and CK Fire and Rescue (CKFR) to issue a joint statement Tuesday afternoon. They are asking local residents to avoid having campfires or other open burns outside. It's not a burn ban, but they are hoping you can help out by holding off on those open burns until the air clears up.
"Due to the low air quality across CK, we are asking residents to not participate in any type of open-air burning at this time," said CKFR Assistant Chief Ken Labonte. "Officials are monitoring the situation and we would like to thank everyone for their cooperation as we wait for conditions to improve."
Officials with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit are advising residents that wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone's health, even at low concentrations. People with underlying health conditions such as lung disease or heart disease are especially at risk along with older adults, children, pregnant women, and people who work outdoors.
If you are staying inside, you are also encouraged to keep your indoor air clean by keeping your doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable.
Public health officials said you may also want to consider using an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter in a room where you spend a lot of time.
