Health of firefighters who battled Fort McMurray 'beast' being monitored

The health of firefighters who spent endless days breathing in cinders and ash, battling the Fort McMurray fire, will be monitored by a team of scientists at the University of Alberta. 

Equipped with a brand-new mobile testing unit, the researchers have visited fire halls to test firefighters as they return home from the front lines. 

Nicola Cherry, an epidemiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Alberta, is particularly concerned about the heavy smoke the firefighters have had to deal with.

"We're looking at whether their breathing has been affected," Cherry said. "Exposure to very high levels of smoke can cause sort of an acute bronchitis."

Cherry is leading a team that is taking blood, urine and breath samples of some of the firefighters who've spent time in Fort McMurray. Follow-up tests will be done in the coming months. Once the results have been compiled, a report will be given to occupational health officials, unions and the firefighters involved in the study.

So far, about 60 firefighters have been tested, including those from the Strathcona County Emergency Services department.

"We all love what we do and the risks for us are worth it," said firefighter Iain Thomas who spent three days fighting the wildfire in Fort McMurray.

"The ability to help somebody in their time of need is 100 per cent worth every risk we put ourselves through.

"Not a chance would I ever consider changing careers due to health risks."