The 2019 wildfire season is coming, and it is time to start preparing for wildfire smoke. This 1-day workshop will provide practical guidance on tools for understanding smoke exposure and protecting your health. Presentations will cover the following topics:

10:00 - 10:30: Sarah Henderson (BC Centre for Disease Control)

Wildfire smoke, air quality, and health
• What is wildfire smoke?
• How does it affect air quality?
• How does it affect human health?
• Who is most at risk?
• Reduced exposure = reduced risk

10:30 - 12:00: Kevin Delahunt (The Filter Shop) and Paulo Branco (Pine Centre Mall)

Indoor air filtration
• Existing forced air systems
• Portable air cleaners
• Vehicles
• Where to turn for help

Creating a cleaner air space
• Pine Centre Mall
• The decision to create a cleaner air space
• The process
• The costs

12:00 - 1:00: Lunch (provided)

1:00 - 1:45: Gail Roth (BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy)

Tools for assessing air quality during wildfires
• Smoky skies bulletins
• Air quality advisories
• How to use Ministry website for AQHI and PM2.5 information
• AQHI and WeatherCAN apps
• Visibility and provincial webcams
• FireWork and BlueSky
• Satellite data

1:45 - 2:30: Peter Fairman (WorkSafe BC)

N95 respirators
• What they are
• What they can and cannot do
• Importance of a good fit
• Tips for fitting
• Limitations for public health protection

2:30 - 3:00: Questions and discussion