Wildfire smoke prompts Fraser Valley air-quality advisory as heat builds

Metro Vancouver has issued a yellow air-quality advisory for the Eastern Fraser Valley, citing elevated fine particulate matter from wildfires burning in British Columbia. Hazy conditions were also visible in Vancouver.

The regional district said smoke levels can shift quickly with weather and fire behaviour. It advises people to reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activity while PM2.5 levels are high, particularly those with heart or lung conditions, pregnant people, older adults, children and infants, and outdoor workers.

Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts inland temperatures up to 31 C over the next 48 hours, with humidex values reaching 35 C Tuesday and Wednesday. The UV index is forecast to reach eight, or very high.

Meteorologist Justin Shelley said a persistent upper-level high pressure pattern over the Pacific Northwest is bringing warmer air and that wildfire smoke is expected to linger through the week, with worse air quality farther inland.

BC Wildfire Service reported 119 active wildfires in the province. It said a recent 24-hour weather event brought wind gusts up to 80 km/h in the Okanagan and more than 2,200 lightning strikes; 10 of 22 suspected lightning-caused fires identified in that period remained out of control.