KINDERSLEY, SK, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Efforts to extinguish the fire at the Kindersley landfill are still going well and fire officials are pleased with the progress that has been made. A Shelter-in-Place remains in effect for persons residing within one kilometer of the fire area.
Health officials are closely monitoring this situation and working with the partners and agencies involved.
Smoke in the air from any source can affect a person's health.
The immediate health consideration in Kindersley is related to particulates in the air. There are chemicals in the smoke, but the risk of exposure to these chemicals is reduced because the smoke plume is rapidly dispersing. Environment officials are continuously monitoring air quality in the area.
While the fire is under control, residents in Kindersley are advised to stay away from the landfill site and stay indoors as much as possible until this situation has been resolved. The less exposure people have to the smoke, the lower the potential of their health being affected.
Young children, the elderly and those with asthma or other respiratory diseases or chronic conditions should be especially careful to minimize their exposure to smoke.
People can also take steps to ensure that indoor air in their homes is as clean as possible. Windows should be kept closed, and ventilation systems that draw in air from outdoors should be shut off.
Those who have questions or health concerns can call HealthLine 811.
A Q&A Fact Sheet about the smoke will be posted online at www.kindersley.ca/smoke. Sign up for direct email notifications using the Notify Me Sign Up button. Information is also available by calling 306-463-6000.
Kindersley Town Council declared a Local State of Emergency at 1:02 pm on October 8. A meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre will take place at 4:30 pm today to assess the Local State of Emergency and Shelter-in-Place.
SOURCE: Town of Kindersley
contact Wayne Gibson, Communications Coordinator at 306-463-2675 or [email protected]
Share this article