DRYDEN — Smoke from forest fires in Northwestern Ontario has prompted the hospital in Dryden to take measures to minimize the amount of outside air entering the building.
Dryden Regional Health Centre has called a Code Grey – Partial Air Exclusion.
The hospital says this means closing air intakes, windows and door openings, and minimizing entry and exit from the hospital as much as possible.
At this time, access to the building is not restricted.
However hospital officials said they are prepared to ramp up their measures to a Full Air Exclusion status if conditions worsen.
In the meantime, they are asking the public to avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital.
The Dryden Area Family Health Team is also advising local residents to stay inside, keep outside air out of their homes by closing windows and doors, and set air conditioners to the recirculation setting.
When riding in vehicles, they said windows and vents should be kept closed, and the A/C setting should also be left at recirculation.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources & Forestry expects smoke drift from forest fires in the Northwest will continue to be experienced in a number of communities.
It also notes that smoke from fires in Westerrn Canada may soon become detectable in much of Ontario.
