Recess, field trips cancelled due to poor air quality

City schools cancelled outdoor recess and field trips at the eleventh-hour Wednesday as wildfire smoke choked the city of Winnipeg.

Families across the Louis Riel School Division learned the St. Vital board office called off outdoor excursions, even though some students had already been dropped off at venues, in a mid-morning memo.

“Unfortunately, it is hard to predict changes in air quality,” senior administration wrote.

“The (Air Quality Health Index) was 3 early this morning at 5 a.m., 5 at 9 a.m., and was forecast to reach 8 later in the day. The index jumped quickly to 10+ at 10 a.m.”

High risk is considered 7 to 10 on the index and 10+ is considered very high risk.

There had been field trips scheduled for both Valour FC and Winnipeg Goldeyes games.

The division indicated it is “developing reimbursement options” in cases where students were charged for a trip.

Metro divisions have cancelled outdoor breaks and rescheduled extracurricular events throughout the week in response to extremely poor air quality.

Insurer parks unit outside wildfire evacuation centre

Wawanesa Insurance has set up its mobile response unit outside Billy Mosienko Arena in Winnipeg to help wildfire evacuees.

The unit is set up in the parking lot of the arena at 709 Keewatin St., which is being used as a reception centre for evacuees.

“Wawanesa team members working out of the vehicle are providing personalized support to members by helping them open claims, answering questions and distributing care kits,” a Tuesday news release said.

The unit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will remain in place as long as needed, the insurance company said.

The unit features Wi-Fi and a soundproof meeting room for confidential conversations. It was last used in Manitoba for wildfire evacuees from the Lac du Bonnet area.

Wawanesa said it had claims representatives at Billy Mosienko Arena shortly after the centre opened, before the unit’s vehicle arrived.