A medical health officer for northern Saskatchewan says fire is not the only health risk facing the firefighters.
Dr. James Irvine says smoke inhalation can greatly affect the firefighters’ ability to fight fires.
He says they try to avoid heavy smoke, but sometimes it is inevitable.
“Generally it’s a matter of doing your work and avoiding the heaviest smoke areas and going from there,” said Dr. Irvine.
Smoke inhalation can affect eyes, ears, nasal ways as well as mouths and throats.
Dr. Irvine also says heavy smoke can reduce visibility creating an even more dangerous environment for the crews.
He does say firefighters are trained to use a self-contained breathing apparatus, but sometimes they are difficult to breathe in.