A Canadian family warns of the dangers of fire smoke

The family of a nine-year-old boy who died last summer is urging Canadians to be aware of the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.

Carter Vig died July 2023 at 100 Mile House, BC, of ​​asthma complications from smoke inhalation.

His mother, Amber, said the family knew the poor air quality was dangerous but, like many, didn't realize how bad it could get.

“People need to pay attention,” Amber told CTV News. “They need to know to be careful when there's an air quality alert.”

“You can't keep yourself completely safe by going into your house and closing your windows and doors because that air is still coming in.”

A lifelong asthmatic, Carter began coughing one day last summer after inhaling pollutants from wildfire smoke.

“People don't understand,” Amber said. “They think the only danger in a fire is the flames, and if the flames aren't on your doorstep, you're fine.”

Amber and her husband have since started The Carter's Project, a partnership between the family and the BC Lung Foundation.

Their goal is to distribute air quality monitors and encourage Canadians to invest in air purifiers for their homes.

They raised thousands of dollars for the cause, put out more than 100 cleaners in their community and lobbied their provincial representative to introduce a private member's bill called Carter's Law into the BC legislature.

The bill aims to improve air quality management and protect vulnerable people during bushfires.

“The main reason we're pushing this so hard is so no other family has to go through what we went through,” Vig said.

Smoke is coming

This year's wildfire season is predicted to be particularly rough, though not as bad as the record-breaking 2023.

Experts say poor air quality is significant, and historical data suggests it is likely to happen in the near future.

Data from Environment and Climate Change Canada shows that from May to September in 2014, the average annual average hours of smog was about 192.

That's monumental compared to the same period from 1981 to 2000, which produced an average of 12 hours of smoke per year.

This has led to increased reports of cardiac and respiratory hospitalizations, as well as lung and brain cancers.

When air quality declines, the elderly, pregnant women, smokers, infants, children, outdoor workers, and people with pre-existing or chronic health conditions are at risk.

Mild symptoms may include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as worrisome symptoms such as chest pain or a severe cough.

Experts advise Canadians to stay indoors on the smogiest days and consider turning on a stove fan to filter out some of the smoke, even if you don't have air conditioning.

– With Canadian Press files