A case of smoke poisoning A pile-up of coincidences led to severe smoke poisoning for local resident Arne Sahlen. This syndrome was defined first a few years ago due to heavy smoke from Central Canada blowing into the northern U.S. Chemicals, soot and ash can reduce the intake of oxygen. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, headache, cough, chest pain, dizziness, confusion and more. Kimberley has a kind of escarpment that served to channel …