Merge pull request #303 from bcgov/20260327-aqwarning-golden

20260327-aqwarning-issue
Golden: PM10

Author: GailR

frontend/warnings/2026-03-27_Golden_issue_pm10.md

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+---
+author:
+- Gail Roth
+authors:
+- Gail Roth
+burnRestrictions: 0
+bylaw: false
+date: 2026-03-27
+ice: Issue
+location: Golden
+params:
+  aqMet: Sakshi Jain
+  burnRestrictionEndDate: 2025-09-28
+  burnRestrictionEndTime: "12:00 PM"
+  burnRestrictions: 0
+  ice: Issue
+  issuedate: 2025-07-20
+  location: Prince George
+  nextUpdate: 2025-09-28
+  outputFormat: markdown
+  pollutant: PM25 & PM10
+pollutant: PM10
+title: Air quality warning in effect for Golden
+toc-title: Table of contents
+type: local_emissions
+---
+
+<!--
+Copyright 2025 Province of British Columbia
+
+This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
+To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
+-->
+<!-- Logo header, the layout-col should be set based on number of logos including FHNA and BCGov -->
+<!-- the trailing slash means the text in square brackets is alt text -->
+
+::: {layout-ncol= 3 layout-valign="bottom"}
+
+![Government of British Columbia logo](/assets/logo_BCID_V_RGB_pos.png)\
+
+![First Nations Health Authority logo](/assets/logo_FNHA.png)\
+
+![Interior Health Authority logo](/assets/logo_IH.png)\
+
+:::
+
+The Ministry of Environment and Parks in collaboration with the Interior
+Health Authority has issued an Air Quality Warning for Golden due to
+elevated coarse particulate matter.
+
+Exposure to coarse particulate matter is particularly a concern for
+infants, older adults, individuals with chronic conditions (such as
+asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes) or respiratory infections,
+and those who are pregnant. Persons with chronic underlying medical
+conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous
+exercise until the warning is ended. Anyone experiencing symptoms such
+as continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of
+breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care
+provider. Staying indoors helps to reduce exposure.
+
+Current conditions are expected to persist until weather conditions
+change and/or local emissions are reduced.
+
+The next update will be on March 28, 2026 and posted to the province's
+[Air Quality Warnings webpage](https://www.gov.bc.ca/airquality).
+
+Visit the provincial [air quality data
+webpage](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-quality)
+for real-time observations.
+
+## Actions you can take
+
+As air contaminant levels increase, health risks increase. Consider
+reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
+
+People more likely to be negatively impacted by outdoor air pollution
+should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek
+medical attention if experiencing symptoms. This includes people aged 65
+and older, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people with
+an existing illness or chronic health condition such as chronic
+obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and diabetes, and
+people who work outdoors.
+
+{{< accordion_controls >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Follow your common sense" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes
+    uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
+
+-   Always carry any rescue medications with you.
+
+-   Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves
+    follow the same advice.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Monitor your symptoms" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Different people have different responses to elevated levels of air
+    contaminants.
+-   Mild irritation and discomfort such as eye, nose and throat
+    irritation, headaches or a mild cough are common, and usually
+    disappear when the air contaminants return to typical levels.
+-   More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains
+    or severe cough.
+-   People with asthma or other chronic illness should follow any
+    personal care plans designed with their family physicians.
+-   If you are unsure whether you need medical care, call HealthLink BC
+    at 8-1-1.
+-   If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing, chest pain or
+    discomfort, or a severe cough, contact your physician, walk-in
+    clinic, or emergency department. If you are having a medical
+    emergency, call 9-1-1.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Tips to reduce your exposure to air pollution" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Air contaminant levels may be lower indoors but will still be
+    elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
+
+-   When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
+
+-   Protect your indoor air from outdoor air pollution. Actions can
+    include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation
+    system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine
+    particles. Do-it-yourself air cleaners may also be used if other
+    options are unavailable. For more details, see the BC Centre of
+    Control [fact
+    sheet](https://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Health-Environment/BCCDC_WildFire_FactSheet_BoxFanAirFilters.pdf).
+
+-   If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting
+    and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified
+    N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to
+    particulate matter. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can
+    still be risks to health.
+
+-   Avoid roads with heavy vehicle traffic and areas with wood smoke.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+
+## Emission reduction actions
+
+{{< accordion_start title="Mandatory actions" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Facilities with air discharge authorizations under the Environmental
+    Management Act are required to follow trigger actions within their
+    permit related to Air Quality Warnings and are encouraged to reduce
+    any other emissions where possible.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+{{< accordion_start title="Voluntary actions" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+-   Avoid driving on the road shoulder or other areas where road
+    traction material has accumulated.
+-   When cleaning driveways and parking lots, lightly wet the area
+    before sweeping. Avoid using leaf blowers to clean up dirt during
+    spring clean up.
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+
+## More information
+
+{{< accordion_start title="Current conditions" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
+
+Coarse particulate matter refers to airborne solid or liquid droplets
+with diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (μm). Together with fine
+particulate matter (airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters of
+2.5 μm or less), these particles are referred to as PM~10~. Sources of
+PM~10~ contributing to this air quality episode include road dust from
+the emission of winter traction material along busy and dry road
+surfaces. PM~10~ can easily penetrate indoors because of their small
+size.
+
+The current dusty conditions are caused by road traffic stirring up
+winter traction materials that have accumulated on roadways over the
+past winter.
+
+The provincial air quality objective for PM~10~ is 50 micrograms per
+cubic metre (μg/m^3^), averaged over 24 hours. 24-hour average PM~10~
+concentrations are summarized below for Golden and nearest monitored
+communities at 9:00 AM local time today:
+
+::: {.table-responsive}
+
+  Community                 Golden   Castlegar   Elkford   Sparwood
+  ------------------------- -------- ----------- --------- ----------
+  24-hr average (μg/m^3^)   54.0     13.8        15.6      27.0
+
+:::
+
+{{< accordion_end >}}
+
+**For additional information about air quality in British Columbia:**
+
+::: bcds-card-wrapper
+{{< card_start title="Air Quality Health Index" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}}
+Provincial summary of latest index and forecast.
+
+[What's the air like
+today?](https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/data/aqhi-table.html)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="Provincal Air Quality Map" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}}
+Provincial air quality data refreshed every hour.
+
+[Latest air quality
+data](https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html)
+{{< card_end >}}
+{{< card_start title="Metro Vancouver Air Quality" variant="success" logo="/assets/icon_chart.svg" >}}
+Warnings and a map of air quality and weather data.
+
+[Air quality data and
+warnings](https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/air-quality-data-and-advisories)
+{{< card_end >}}
+
+:::
+
+## Contact
+
+**Media questions regarding this Air Quality Warning:**
+{{< card_start width="wide" >}}
+
+Gail Roth`<br />`{=html}Senior Air Quality
+Meteorologist`<br />`{=html}Ministry of Environment and
+Parks`<br />`{=html}250-645-9358
+
+{{< card_end >}}
+
+**Media questions regarding health implications when air quality is
+degraded:** {{< card_start width="wide" >}}
+
+Interior Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Media line:
+1-844-469-7077`<br />`{=html}Email:
+media@interiorhealth.ca`<br />`{=html}
+
+{{< card_end >}}