Metro Vancouver issues Air Quality Advisory
Posted August 23, 2015 9:55 am.
Last Updated August 23, 2015 10:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Metro Vancouver has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the central and eastern Fraser Valley because of elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter. The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with island health, has also issued a smoky skies advisory for the port Renfrew and Cowichan Valley areas of Vancouver Island.
It is related to the smoke blowing into parts of BC from the wildfires burning in Washington State.
Fire information officer Marg Drysdale expects the haze to hang around for quite some time.
“As long as the fire is maintained down there I know they are standing by in some areas to see if some of those fires come over the border. We just really want people to understand they are very close to the border and they are blowing smoke into Canada.”
This advisory is expected to continue until there is a change in the current weather. While most people shouldn’t be too concerned, you may want to keep infants indoors.People with diabetes or breathing problems should also avoid exercising outside.
Drysdale notes you can see a real time map of where the smoke is going by heading to FireSmoke.ca.
Information about real-time air quality readings for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley communities and potential health impacts can be found at www.airmap.ca and www.bcairquality.ca.
