By Adam Frisk

An air quality warning was issued last week for Haliburton County as wildfire smoke blanketed the region.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a special air quality statement on July 13 for the area, warning of deteriorating air quality and reduced visibility.

“Smoke from forest fires over northern Ontario has moved into the area, causing the air quality to deteriorate,” ECCC said in the statement, adding that the smoke was expected to linger in the air until July 15.

By late Sunday afternoon, the smoke reached ground level in many parts of the county, and was thick enough to taste and smell.

Full-time resident Pattie Davis of Little Kennisis was enjoying time at the lake when the smoke began to move in.

“When the system came in it was noticeable and not only was it really smoky but you could even smell it,” Davis said in a July 14 interview. “It almost smelled rubbery. I thought a vehicle was on fire actually because it was pretty dense when it came through.”

The resident said she just got settled at the lake and once she began to smell and observe the smoke, she immediately took precautions.

“Oh we went right in, because we just came out and we went down to the lake and we noticed it,” Davis said. “Then I’m like OK we can smell rubber so we’re out.”

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health issued an air quality warning on Monday morning, advising residents to take precautions by limiting time outside as the Air Quality Health Index was expected to reach a high risk level.

“Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities, especially if you experience symptoms like coughing or throat irritation,” HKPR said in the statement.

Smoke from these fires can pose a serious health risk. When the air quality health index reaches the seven to 10 range, or moderate to high risk levels, the vulnerable population, including children and elderly, should reduce time spent outdoors, HKPR said.

Peterborough resident Andrew Shedden was visiting Haliburton Village, having some lunch at Head Lake Park, and said the smoke was quite noticeable during the drive up.

“It’s definitely noticeable, it’s very very hazy,” he said. “It’s a little difficult to breathe normally. We’ll be heading back inside after finishing our lunch.”

However, some residents and visitors said they didn’t seem to notice the smoke so much by Monday afternoon and weren’t bothered by it.

“We noticed it last night when the sun was setting and it was really hazy out. But then we woke up this morning and it was a lot more blue sky, and less haze” said Toronto resident Louise O’Shea, who was enjoying the beach at Head Lake with her family. “It hasn’t really bothered us, we’re outside and enjoying the lake and beach.

The air quality advisory for the area ended late last Monday.