Air Quality Drops as Smoke Builds in Southern Interior
Officials said smoke from wildfires near Clinton and Boston Bar is driving very high health risk readings in the eastern Fraser Valley.
- On Tuesday, The Metro Vancouver Regional District upgraded the air quality warning to orange for Chilliwack, Hope, and Agassiz, indicating a "very high health risk" from wildfire smoke blanketing the eastern Fraser Valley.
- Environment Canada reports 115 wildfires are burning across British Columbia, with wildfire complexes near Clinton and Boston Bar generating the widespread smoke affecting the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
- Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene said Tuesday that about 8,000 people had been forced from their homes across B.C., while about 230 homes were destroyed on the Okanagan Indian Band reserve near Okanagan Lake on Saturday.
- Officials urge residents to reduce outdoor activity and wear N95 respirators as Air Quality Health Index monitors show readings reaching 9 across the Lower Mainland, posing increased health risks with 24 hours of exposure.
- BC Wildfire Service official Cliff Chapman warns that dry lightning forecast for Thursday could spark new fires across the southern Interior, while Environment Canada expects smoke to linger for 24 to 48 hours.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Orange, yellow air quality warnings remain for Okanagan, Cariboo
Air quality warnings have been re-issued by Environment Canada for Thursday, Aug. 6 due to local wildfire smoke. Princeton, Merritt, Ashcroft, Kamloops, and 100 Mile House are all under an orange warning, meaning “severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.” Meanwhile, the Okanagan from Osoyoos through to Salmon Arm are all under a yellow warning, where impacts can be moderate and short-term. Little Fort …
Another wave of heat is arriving with wildfire smoke lingering
We are headed into a heatwave, with less smoke in out favor and more sunshine that will take temps to the 90s. Mid 90s for the valley and mid-to-upper 90s south and west and to near 100 in Boise. Mountain highs in the upper 80s at around 88 in Jackson and 85 in Island Park.
Environment Canada expanded a yellow air quality alert to the Greater Vancouver area, as did Metreo Vancouver.
Wildfire smoke triggers warning from Environment Canada
Wildfire smoke is hovering over much of the Southern Interior on Wednesday morning, leading to Environment Canada issuing a yellow warning for air quality for multiple regions, including the Okanagan, South Thompson, Similkameen, Fraser Canyon, Nicola, East Kootenay, 100 Mile, and Manning Park-Skagit Valley. According to Environment Canada, wildfire smoke is expected to hover over these regions of B.C. for the next 24-48 hours. The warning was …
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