Keep pets indoors when you can

Poor air quality affects dogs, cats and birds, too

If you are feeling the effects of the poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke, chances are your pets are, too. 

Vaughan Animal Services is recommending you keep your elderly dogs, flat-faced dogs and cats, and domestic birds indoors. Only let your dogs outside for short periods of time, if needed. Make sure they have plenty of water to keep them hydrated.

To report a sick or injured wild animal, please call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.

Environment Canada update

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Vaughan due to high levels of air pollution caused by smoke from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario. Poor air quality is expected to continue into the weekend.

While poor air quality can affect everyone, children, seniors and those with heart or lung disease are more at risk from the negative effects of outdoor air pollution. York Region Public Health is advising everyone to monitor local conditions and take precautions to reduce exposure to air pollution.

For more details, please consult the Government of Canada’s website on wildfire smoke, air quality and your health.
 

Temporary fire ban in effect

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service has issued a total outdoor fire ban effective Tuesday, June 6, for 30 days or until conditions improve. Until that time:

• existing fire permits are cancelled.
• no new fire permits will be issued.
• no open fires or burning debris of any kind will be permitted. This includes recreational open-air burning.

This ban has been issued for the protection of property, public safety and the safety of the firefighters that would have to respond to an incident.

More information is available at vaughan.ca/fire.

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