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Thread: How are ya'll holding up with the fires? (Canada + Northern US)

  1. #1
    John Cena's Avatar
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    How are ya'll holding up with the fires? (Canada + Northern US)

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    Woke up today and thought the sun was peaking through my curtains, but it actually just looks like a 90's western film outside.
    Everything is so orange.

    A town near where my sister lives was just evacuated yesterday in Quebec, and from inside her home she says it smells like heavy smoke.
    We have a slight smoke smell where I am, it gets worse outside.

    Any tips/suggestions for keeping up on indoor air quality?
    I have 2 air purifiers that are always running (pets), and we also have 2 air conditioners so I'm hoping the inside won't be too bad.

    It seriously looks apocalyptic outside, it's crazy. I always hear about these things, but I don't even think last year (or the year before?) when it got bad elsewhere it visually looked and smelled like this where I am now.


    How are you guys doing? Stay safe please <3


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    Edited to add a pic of the view outside my balcony
    Last edited by John Cena; 06-06-2023 at 08:56 AM.

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  3. #2
    zex's Avatar
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    This is me, apparently living under a rock, and hearing about this for the first time.

    The air purifiers should help, but check your filters to make sure they have been replaced recently/replace them as needed.

    What kind of air conditioners do you have? Since you said multiple, I'm thinking window units? If they are swamp coolers, you may actually be better off not using them. I think window units are okay though.

    Stay safe!

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    @(you need an account to see links)
    Good call on checking the filters, I know one was replaced not too long ago but I should do an order and replace them both!
    For the air conditioners, they're the stand-up ones with the hoses to the window (we weren't allow the in-window ones). I think I remember reading one of them was also a purifier, but I'll have to look them up online and re-check to make sure they'd okay to run.
    Thanks for the advice! <3

    edit:
    Just looked them up and apparently should not be using the hose ones, but if you have a window one it's safe! (:
    Last edited by John Cena; 06-06-2023 at 09:14 AM.

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    zex's Avatar
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    I wonder if there would be a way to filter the hoses on your AC? I know I would be super uncomfortable without AC, but it's also about 38C here today so hopefully you aren't in an area that is quite that hot.

  7. #5
    overthink.exe
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    I'm not in Canada, but I've heard things have been rough out there and I've made it few a couple wildfire seasons in the Bay Area and Washington State and the post-season in Colorado.

    Air purifiers definitely help and are better than nothing, but make sure you have spare filters.

    Masks help a lot for when you need to go outside (different from the kind you wear for COVID, you'll want something like an N95 respirator). I think in 2020 I saw people layering, but at this point so few people wear covid masks, anyway...

    If you have something like mild asthma or other breathing, inhalers can make it worse. They'll open your lungs up, but there's no real way to escape the smoke and other particles, so you just welcome them right on it. Obviously in severe/emergency situations absolutely still use it, but I've found for my level of breathing-sensitive, it never improved things.

    Consider line-drying your clothes. I've had dryers leave my clothes smelling like smoke because of the vents leading outside.

    This is something that I've always just let myself suffer with, but a lot of people I know swear by eye drops.

    Also, if you're in an area that might end up in immediate threat, be sure to have a go bag.

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    Not really advice, but orange days are some of the surrealist fucking shit.

    Stay safe, y'all!



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    Kyo (Nov 13 2020)

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    There were a few days a couple weeks ago where it was ORANGE AF outside and we could smell the smoke even in the house, but it as just advised to stay indoors. The smoke has cleared where I am now (southern alberta). My brother in laws gf is a volunteer firefighter and she has been being flown all over to help fight them.
    I keep a bug out bag ready to go in case of any emergency, im one of those "preppers" XD

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    @(you need an account to see links)
    Amazing advice, thank you.
    I'm sending that graphic to my sister, they may be evacuated next so I'm sure it will be super helpful. Also the eye drops is such a smart idea, my eyes have been super itchy today so I'm going to grab some online with the replacement filters <3
    @(you need an account to see links)
    I'm so happy to hear that's is cleared up for you guys! I saw online that they have a few of the major ones under control in Aberta/NS and they're working on the Quebec ones now. I hope your brother in laws gf stays safe, that's such a difficult profession.

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  13. #8
    overthink.exe
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    Glad I could be helpful! Another thing I remembered is if you have a poor seal on your windows, those plastic insulation sheets that are normally used for cold weather can help keep the smoke out. I think you can also use this on some types of vents, but I would double or triple check that.



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    Kyo (Nov 13 2020)

    thanks honeycomb
    and hearts! <3
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    Lyrichord (06-06-2023)

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    John Cena's Avatar
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    @(you need an account to see links)
    Our windows are a huge point of contention with the landlord, they're completely useless for insulation
    Adding those to cart now too haha

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    Aero's Avatar
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    It's insanely smoggy where I am right now too. I didn't realize the ENTIRE country was basically on fire.

    Keep safe everyone xx



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