Wildfire smoke prompts high-risk air-quality warning in eastern Fraser Valley

Metro Vancouver has issued a yellow air-quality warning for the eastern Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope, because of wildfire smoke. The regional district describes the alert as a high health risk.

Fine particulate levels have risen amid the Brunswick complex of fires near Boston Bar and fires in the Southern Interior. Officials warned that smoke conditions can shift quickly with changing weather and fire behaviour.

Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity and stay in cool indoor spaces with windows and doors closed where possible. People with chronic cardiovascular conditions, infants, pregnant people, older adults and outdoor workers face higher risk. The warning also asks residents to check on vulnerable people.

Provincial officials said wildfire activity intensified over the long weekend and hot, dry, windy conditions were expected to continue in the coming days.