Fort McMurray evacuees with medical conditions urged to wait to return

As tens of thousands are driving through scorched forests to their abandoned homes in Fort McMurray, the province is urging those with lung and heart conditions not to return too soon.

The province is asking evacuees with chronic or acute medical conditions to wait for the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre to re-open fully before going home.

A precautionary air quality advisory is still in effect for Alberta Health Service's North Zone, even as the wildfire moves east.

"Although the current air conditions do not typically cause health concerns in most healthy individuals, if these conditions become more severe, even healthy individuals may experience temporary irritation of eyes and throat, and possibly shortness of breath," says a statement on the AHS website.

Those with conditions such as COPD, asthma, angina, or congestive heart failure are warned their symptoms may worsen due to air quality.

Alberta's air quality in May threatened even the healthiest people, according to Dr. Chris Sikora, the senior medical officer of health for AHS' Edmonton zone.

'A very high risk'

"When the smoke is so thick you can cut it with a knife ... that's a very high risk." he said. "People with underlying heart and lung problems will likely have problems."

Sikora says Edmonton hospitals treated more Fort McMurray residents with breathing problems than usual in the weeks after the city evacuated.

The University of Alberta Hospital emergency room received a daily average of 20 to 50 patients with respiratory issues in April and May.

In April, fewer than one in 10 of those people were from Fort McMurray.

In May, that number averaged 10 to 20 per cent daily, climbing to 25 per cent on several days.

Those with sensitive lungs remain vulnerable even as smoke clears in northern Alberta, according to nurse Jill Hubick with Saskatchewan's Lung Association.

She says the association has been fielding significantly more calls from people with breathing problems in recent weeks.

'Any smoke is dangerous'

"Any smoke is dangerous to our health," Hubick said. "It will do damage eventually to your lungs."

Poor air quality can increase the risk of infections such as pneumonia in people with sensitive lungs, according to Hubick. Those complications can take weeks to resolve.

"Certainly the more smoke and the more prolonged period of time you're exposed to it, there's a potential for greater damage so we want people to do whatever they can to protect their lungs," she said.

On smoky days Hubick recommends staying indoors with windows shut and air conditioners on a re-circulation setting.

She adds people with medical conditions should also carry their medications and make sure they're up-to-date and properly filled.

Albertans can check Environment Canada's air quality health index (AQHI) to keep track of air quality in the province.