Air-quality warning expands across Fraser Valley as wildfire smoke worsens

The Metro Vancouver Regional District has expanded its air-quality warning to include Abbotsford and Mission, joining Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope in the Fraser Valley.

The agency says the warning carries a high health risk and was issued because of elevated fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke. Smoke is coming from fires in B.C., including near Boston Bar and Manning Park, as well as from Washington and Oregon.

At 3:45 p.m., IQAir listed Chilliwack’s air-quality index at 151 and Abbotsford’s at 103, with conditions described as unhealthy for sensitive groups. Metro Vancouver’s index was 55.

The regional district says smoke levels can change quickly with weather and fire behaviour. Forecast conditions suggested air quality could improve through the evening and into the following day.