Heavy smoke, smog wallop Ottawa, cancelling Dragon Boat, Indigenous festivals

Air quality readings were expected to improve somewhat on Monday, slowly returning to a ‘moderate risk’ by Monday night.

Published Jun 25, 2023 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 4 minute read

Paddlers were wearing masks on the Rideau River at Mooney’s Bay, as Ottawa was dealing with bad air quality with smoke in the air on Sunday. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

The air quality in Ottawa started out bad and got worse over the day Sunday, rising to 10+ or “very high risk,” the federal air quality index’s highest level.

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“High levels of air pollution have developed due to smoke from forest fires. Smoke plumes from forest fires in Quebec have moved into the area, resulting in deteriorated air quality,” said Environment Canada in a special air quality statement for Ottawa.

Organizers at two of the four major festivals being held in Ottawa cancelled events in response, and the City of Ottawa cancelled its outdoor programs and closed wading pools and outdoor pools.

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival on West Hunt Club closed one day early. Organizers said people who were concerned about the air quality and did not want to attend these activities would be reimbursed.

The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival was in its last day and officials cancelled all paddling events as of 11:40 a.m, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

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The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place this weekend at Mooney’s Bay, on the Rideau River. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

“Our primary concern is the health and safety of our paddlers, community and guests,” festival organizers said in a statement.

The Ottawa Jazz Festival, which is scheduled to run until Friday, was going ahead with Sunday programming, a spokesperson said.

“We will keep an eye on conditions as it progresses,” said Suzan Zilahi, the director of marketing and partnerships.

Jazz Festival executive producer Catherine O’Grady said she had been following the City of Ottawa’s advice and was keeping an eye on updates.

The city’s advice is to avoid extreme physical activity, said O’Grady. “None of our activities is considered extreme. We don’t consider ourselves in that vein. We understand why Dragon Boar cancelled, but they’re athletes.”

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None of the performers scheduled for Sunday had expressed concern, she said. “I wouldn’t risk the health of performers. Every one of them is quite comfortable performing.”

Organizers of the three-day Escapade electronic music festival at Lansdowne opened the doors at 2:30 p.m. for the final day of the festival. Escapade was expected to draw about 22,000 festival-goers daily.

In a statement posted on social media, Escapade organizers said they were monitoring the air quality index, weather experts and city officials.

“Those at risk are recommended to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Masks can help reduce exposure and will be permitted. Remember to stay hydrated!”

Meanwhile, the City of Ottawa announced it had cancelled all outdoor programs and leagues operated by the city for the remainder of Sunday. Registrants will be contacted in the upcoming week with an offer of a refund, credit or rescheduling of their program.

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Some paddlers chose to wear masks as the capital was blanketed in smoky skies from the forest fires. Photo by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Sports fields, ball diamonds and city parks remained open, with credits for cancellations available on request.

Splash pads remained open, but all wading pools and outdoor pools were closed, while a no-swim advisory is in effect for all city beaches.

Drop-in programs that operate outdoors were moved indoors where possible.

A paddler was wearing a mask on the Rideau River at Mooney’s Bay, as Ottawa was dealing with poor air quality with smoke in the air Sunday, June 25, 2023. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

It is not expected that the air quality for Monday will affect outdoor services, said the city.

The City of Gatineau announced it was closing beaches at 3 p.m. Sunday. Other measures could become necessary, the city advised.

On Monday, air quality readings are expected to drop to a level 7, which is still a high risk, returning to a moderate risk on Monday night.

Safety boats were out on the river as the capital was blanketed with smoky skies from the forest fires. Photo by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Ottawa Public Heath urged residents to monitor the air quality index and plan according to individual level of risk. “Those who are at higher risk of experiencing health effects due to wildfire smoke include people with heart or lung conditions, older adults, children, pregnant people & people who work outdoors.”

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Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour, said Environment Canada, which warned that wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations.

“People with lung disease such as asthma or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke,” said Environment Canada.

The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place this weekend at Mooney’s Bay, on the Rideau River. The starting dock was surrounded by smoky air. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

“Speak with your health care provider about developing a management plan for wildfire smoke events and maintaining a supply of necessary medications at home and always carrying these medications with you during wildfire season,” Environment Canada advised.

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“Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell. Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice.”

The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), the Quebec agency that monitors forest fires, reported that there were 80 active fires in Quebec as of Sunday morning, including three in the northern portion of the Pontiac region. One covered 805 hectares, a second covered 121 hectares and the third covered 73 hectares. All three of these are considered under control.

The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place on the weekend at Mooney’s Bay. Some paddlers chose to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place on the weekend at Mooney’s Bay. Some paddlers chose to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place on the weekend at Mooney’s Bay. Some paddlers chose to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place on the weekend at Mooney’s Bay. Some paddlers chose to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place on the weekend at Mooney’s Bay. Some paddlers chose to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The 30th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival took place on the weekend at Mooney’s Bay. Some paddlers chose to wear masks because of the poor air quality. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Paddlers were wearing masks on the Rideau River at Mooney’s Bay, as Ottawa was dealing with poor air quality with smoke in the air Sunday, June 25, 2023. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia