Blue skies are finally visible again in Vancouver (PHOTOS)

Wildfire smoke that’s been blanketing most of BC this week appeared a little lighter in Vancouver Tuesday afternoon when some residents caught a glimpse of the sky for the first time in days.

The smoke is from wildfires burning in California, Oregon, and Washington, and has made Metro Vancouver dark, chilly, and given the region dangerous air quality ratings.

The haze appeared slightly less thick Tuesday morning compared to Monday, and by Tuesday afternoon the sun was visible again in some parts of the city.

• See also:
  • Ground-level smoke may remain “until later this week”: Environment Canada
  • Air quality statements in effect as wildfire smoke reaches Alberta
  • BC Teachers union calls for school cancellation over wildfire smoke, coronavirus

Environment Canada still rates Metro Vancouver’s Air Quality Health Index as 9 to 10+, or “very high risk,” and the region is still under a Special Air Quality Statement. 

But we can see the mountains again for the first time in days, which is pretty exciting.

Photo submitted

Photo submitted

BLUE SKIES?!?!?! #vancouver #bcsmoke pic.twitter.com/ns1ymDmutg

— Farhan Mohamed (@farhanmohamed) September 15, 2020

Photo submitted

Allison Irwin/Daily Hive

Klaryssa Pangilinan/Daily Hive

Blue sky in Vancouver! Hoping this is the end of the #BigSmoke2020 pic.twitter.com/OfXfb7DZOL

— Teresa White (@WranglingDinos) September 15, 2020

.@YvonneSchalle @KasiaBodurka @NEWS1130Weather @chrisgailus @sophielui @KGordonGlobalBC @GlobalBC @BC1 @globalnews @miawgordon Blue sky above the smokey haze on the hills in West Vancouver pic.twitter.com/yz2Dy3TSCk

— Peter Prevost 🇨🇦🦅 (@peterprev) September 15, 2020

A local’s report: the smoke actually broke today. I can see blue sky for the first time in Vancouver since Fri. Still very hazy here, though. First picture was today. Second picture was taken Nov 2018. Basically taken from the same viewpoint in North Van. pic.twitter.com/v2fZrs94w3

— Gennifer Miller – ACAB (@ElisabethAriane) September 15, 2020

“Air quality has improved slightly overnight but ground-level smoke still remains and is expected to remain through the week,” notes Environment Canada.

“A weather system forecast for Friday may bring further improvements in air quality through the weekend. Localised smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes.”

For more weather anytime, check out Daily Hive’s weather page.