Photo: Facebook

Smokey skies are causing hospitalization

UPDATE 12:25 p.m.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Emergency Management BC has issued their own air quality statement to go along with a similar warning from Interior Health.

Air quality in British Columbia continues to fluctuate, and smoky-sky bulletins have been issued due to wildfire activity.

Poor air quality can be harmful to health, especially for infants, young children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease or diabetes.

The best way to protect yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke is to reduce exposure to it.

ORIGINAL 10:55 a.m.

The wildfire smoke that has blanketed the Okanagan Valley for the past week is taking its toll on those with breathing difficulties.

Laura Lee Solowoniuk from Enderby was hospitalized on Thursday as result of symptoms brought on by the smoke. "I was admitted to ICU for an extreme and my first asthma attack, long story short a night here and four different masks and machines, many many many holes in me and so much blood out of me, I have been stabilized and will be taking it easy at home by this evening I hope! Thank you to the amazing ER nurses who were like mothers to me while waiting for my family," said Solowoniuk on Facebook.

The air quality index has reached as a high as 8 out of 10 this week in some area's but is expected to ease with a change in the weather pattern on Saturday.

Interior Health is advising people to use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity. If you experience irritation of eyes, nose or throat, shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms, take action to reduce your exposure. If symptoms worsen,
contact a medical professional. Concentrations of smoke can change dramatically within short distances
and short periods of time. Let your symptoms be your guide. For a full guide on dealing with wildfire smoke visit Interior Health.