Several Charlotte County communities have issued air quality advisories amid wildfires burning in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Eastern Charlotte, St. Stephen and Grand Manan have all sent alerts through Voyent Alert and Alertable. Many people are reporting seeing or smelling smoke in the air.
“Due to fire in [Nova Scotia], the area of the Municipal District of St. Stephen may be impacted by smoke and reduced air quality,” the alert said. “Smoke may cause mild irritation and discomfort but can result in a dry cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing.”
People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections, older adults, pregnant women, children and infants are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
It also said the fire services are being inundated with calls. Eastern Charlotte Fire Service also issued a statement on social media regarding the calls it is receiving.
“At this time, there [are] no known active fires in the area and the smoke is coming from another location. We are investigating every call,” the post said on Facebook.
Similar advisories have been published by Eastern Charlotte and Grand Manan.
“Smoke from wildfires in Nova Scotia and northern New Brunswick is settling in our area, causing haze and increased smoke smell, and can become concentrated in areas of higher elevation,” the alert from Eastern Charlotte reads.
On Grand Manan, fire crews have explored areas of the island on foot as well as with drones in the air where smoke seemed to be the heaviest with no signs of a local fire.
“The smoke we are experiencing is currently coming from the mainland to the west and due to our cooler temperatures, the smoke is settling closer to the ground, resulting in increased visible smoke,” the alert from Grand Manan said.
