Fraser Valley – With the air quality now an issue due to the Hope and Mission fires, the two largest school districts have released their updates:
Due to the current air quality advisory, we will be implementing temporary health and safety measures to limit smoke exposure for #AbbySchools staff and students over the next few days. Some of these measures include:
Allowing students who are sensitive to the smoke to remain indoors during lunch/breaks;
Closing exterior doors and windows;
Rescheduling outdoor activities, particularly strenuous activities like PE;
Closely monitoring students with asthma or other breathing conditions; and
Closing doors and windows and utilizing filtered ventilation systems during the health warning.
MORE INFO: www.abbyschools.ca
School District No. 33 – Chilliwack:
As an air quality advisory is in effect for our region due to wildfire smoke, the District is closely monitoring the situation. Here are a few details of how we are keeping our students and staff safe.
Questions and Answers Regarding Air Filtration:
Q: What MERV filtration rating is best for wildfire smoke?
A: MERV 13, these filters remove as much as 95% of the particles that pass through them
Q: What type of filters do our portables have?
A: MERV 13. In fact, all our sites have MERV 13 filters, including Stito:s and the addition at Vedder Elementary.
We will continue to monitor our air quality advisory. Our schools will limit smoke exposure for staff and students by:
o allowing students who are sensitive to the smoke to remain indoors during lunch/breaks;
o Closing exterior doors and windows;
o Rescheduling outdoor strenuous activities;
o Closely monitoring students with asthma or other breathing conditions; and
o Closing doors and windows and utilizing MERV 13 filtered ventilation systems during the health warning.