Check the air quality by consulting the weather forecast. For many Canadian parents, the start of the holidays is becoming a headache in cities suffocating under the fumes from the mega fires that are ravaging the country. For several days there have been episodes of unprecedented air pollution in the metropolitan areas of eastern Canada, in Quebec and Ontario. Vulnerable people, including children, are therefore advised to stay indoors to avoid inhaling the fumes, which contain particularly high concentrations of particulate matter.

also readFires in Canada: The Reasons for Worsening

Marion Hélies, an animator at a Montreal recreation center, tells AFP the frustration of her little residents: “The kids can’t hold on anymore because we’ve been inside for several days.” “With the smoke and rain, it’s a bit difficult to channel them.”she slips, convinced that she has organized a 10-minute excursion despite the worse air quality in the French-speaking metropolis.

“Harmful” to “very harmful” air

It is the second time in a few days that the city has been forced to close sports fields and outdoor pools due to the fumes. On the streets, the smell of burning envelops everything – despite fires more than 600 km away. The buildings are obscured by the fog and the sun can hardly be seen. According to the authorities, the air quality index varies between “harmful” and “very harmful”.

After being locked at home for several days, 14-year-old Marin Vicck finally offered to go on a trip. “The air quality is so terrible that it’s difficult to walk around because of the smoke. We feel trapped.” Kedjar Boudjema is also discouraged by this series of warnings in a few days. Phone in hand, he now consults his air quality application every day. “When I get notifications, I pay attention and close the windows.”points out this father of a 4-year-old boy, who proudly carries his blue and red umbrella with the picture of Winnie the Pooh. “I’m worried about his health, but at the same time it’s complicated not going out with him at all.”he says in a tired tone.

asthma and worries

In Ottawa, where visibility was again very poor on Thursday, Janet Hamill planned her day according to the air quality, preferring to take her two grandchildren, aged 2 and 11, for a walk early in the day to avoid the smoke becomes strong . “I’ll get her home before things get really bad. The smoke is tough on her and me, so we stay indoors most of the time“explains the grandmother.

also readForest fires in Canada: Huge clouds of smoke move over three quarters of France

This heavy pollution could repeat itself throughout the summer, as authorities had warned that the peak of the fire season was not yet reached. Many are therefore concerned about the long-term health consequences in a country with 10% asthmatics: Calls to Asthma Canada, an association dedicated to this respiratory disease, have almost doubled since the fires began in early May. People “Above all, they want to know what they can do to protect themselves”says its President Jeff Beach.

Canada, which due to its geographical location is warming faster than the rest of the planet, has faced extreme weather events in recent years, the intensity and frequency of which have increased as a result of climate change.