BC wildfire smoke air quality advisory issued in Vancouver (PHOTOS)

Jul 19 2017, 12:14 am

Noticed how the mountains are kind of hazy lately?

Well, BC wildfire smoke is to blame, and now an air quality advisory has been issued for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

The advisory says the wildfires burning in the BC interior have sent fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, over to Vancouver.

The matter is “primarily smoke” droplets with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less– which means it can also easily get indoors.

The nearest large wildfires are in Harrison Lake, Princeton, and Lillooet, with many others in near Dunn Lake,  and in the Fraser Plateau.

“Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted,” reads the advisory.

“Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease.”

The following advice is being issued:

  • Avoid roads with heavy traffic
  • Avoid areas with wood smoke
  • Stay cool and drink plenty of water
  • “Manage” any asthma, chronic respiratory disease or heart failure
  • If symptoms continue to be bothersome, seek medical attention

And if you have chronic underlying medical conditions:

  • Stay in a cool, air-conditioned environment
  • Reduce indoor sources of pollution, such as smoking and vacuuming
  • Run an air cleaner. HEPA filters can help reduce indoor particulate levels
  • Take shelter in air-conditioned buildings

The advisory says the smoke is expected to remain for at least 24 hours, or until there is a change in the fires burning or the weather patterns.

For a live map of air quality around Vancouver, check out the Metro Vancouver AirMap: gis.metrovancouver.org/maps/Air

For a live map of the wildfires burning around British Columbia, check the BC Wildfire Service Active Wildfires Map.

Here are some photos of the wildfire smoke hanging around Vancouver over the last day:

Wildfire smoke making the mountains look two dimensional ⛰ #twoinarow #bcwildfires #stillbeautifultho

A post shared by Jackie Evans (@jackiebeingwest) on

#smokey sunset last night #bcwildfires

A post shared by El Brando (@cmndobrndo) on

#vancouver #bcwildfires

A post shared by Alex (@thats_alex_) on

Smoky sunset at Spanish Banks #sunglassesasmyfilter #bcwildfires

A post shared by Sheila Martens (@shedolphin2) on

Jenni SheppardJenni Sheppard

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