Special air quality statement warns of smoky air for Kamloops area

KAMLOOPS – British Columbia’s environment ministry has released a special air quality statement for the city of Kamloops and the surrounding communities as thermometers continue to rise.

The statement from the B.C. Ministry of Environment says the area on the north side of the Thompson River may be affected by wildfire smoke after a blaze ignited early Thursday afternoon on the north-east side of Kamloops on East Shuwap Road.

It warns that anyone with pre-existing health conditions, infants, the elderly and anyone with a particular sensitivity to smoke exposure may be affected.

Over 100 firefighters were working on the blaze Sunday, including two helicopters and four water tenders–specialized tanker trucks used to transport water to a fire.

The BC Wildfire Service said Saturday that crews have limited the wildfire’s growth by setting up fireguards and establishing a 30-metre perimeter by controlled burning of potential fuel for the fire.

The wildfire is an estimated 545 hectares, growing nearly 45 hectares from yesterday’s measurement, and investigators are still determining the specific cause of the fire.

Meantime, the service isn’t expecting a break in the hot weather anytime soon. It’s reporting nine new fires started yesterday, five of them caused by people.

Fire Information Officer Claire Allen says crews are keeping an eye on lightning strikes and warmer conditions.

“Moving forward, the long term forecast has very little reprieve in terms of cooler temperatures or precipitation for the southern portion of the province certainly we’re seeing things drying out quite quickly and that’s reflected in the rising fire danger rating,” she says.

There are 60 wildfires in total.

Allen adds if your’re going out to camp and want to have a fire, do so responsibly and make sure you’re putting out your fires completely when you’re done.