The Town of Renfrew is opening clean air shelters to provide residents with some relief from wildfire smoke.
Michael Guest, the Director of Fire and Emergency Services and Fire Chief for the Town of Renfrew, said residents are encouraged to take a break from the smoke by finding somewhere with clean and cool air.
“The safety and wellbeing of the community is our top priority and these shelters will be available to anyone who needs a safe place to breathe clean air,” he said.
Clean air shelters have been set up at the following locations: • Renfrew Public Library (13 Railway Avenue) – Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Renfrew Recreation Centre (67 Argyle Street South) – daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Ma-te-Way Activity Centre – daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement and notes poor air quality may continue most of this week. The Renfrew County and District Health Unit says those at greater risk of health-related problems when exposed to wildfire smoke includes older adults, pregnant people, infants and young children, people who work outdoors, people involved in strenuous outdoor exercise and people with existing illness or chronic health conditions.
