“You blow your nose and it comes out black”; Respiratory problems caused by Alberta wildfires are a concern

With approximately 87 wildfires still active in Alberta, the situation is out of control, and citizens’ quality of life and health are paying the price.

• Read more: Alberta Fires: Provincial Parks Closed to Reduce Fire Risk

• Read more: 20 degrees above normal: heat records shattered in western Canada

• Read more: Wildfires in Alberta: The situation will only get worse

In an interview with LCN, Cynthia Lagasse, a francophone resident of Alberta, described heavy amounts of smoke in the air.

“Before, I was on the highway and it was really hard to see,” he says.

However, it is not only difficult to see; The air is difficult to breathe, Ms Lagasse says, and many people wear masks to avoid inhaling too much smoke and ash.

“We can’t go outside for too long. You can’t go out for more than 20 or 30 minutes without your eyes starting to burn,” he says.

Many people, including him, suffer from respiratory problems.

“Yesterday, I was out and I had to come back and I couldn’t breathe,” says Cynthia Lacasse. “We blow our nose and it comes out black.”

The situation is of particular concern to the elderly and sick, but it affects everyone, says Alberta Citizen.

“Nowadays, anyone who doesn’t even have breathing problems can have breathing problems,” Ms. Laches says.

“I have friends with asthma who can’t go outside,” she adds.

Watch the video above to watch the full interview.