MUST SEE: Protect your home, community from wildfires before it’s too late A powerful ridge of high pressure in the western half of North America has produced historically hot and extremely dry conditions across the Pacific coast in recent days. It ignited multiple wildfires in Washington, Oregon and California, allowing prolific amounts of smoke to rise into the atmosphere and flow northward. Smoke comes from many different sources. A particularly intense wildfire in northern Washington sent thick wildfire smoke onto Vancouver Island during the day Saturday. There are also fires burning in BC. which will contribute to a low level of smoke throughout the area. One such fire is located southwest of Hope. This uncontrollable fire has an area of 65 hectares. Authorities have issued evacuation warnings around the fire. As a result of smoke blanketing the region, Vancouver will see low air quality values Sunday, with moderate air quality remaining through early next week. Conditions are much worse inland, where the Okanagan will see unhealthy air quality on Sunday, worsening to very unhealthy levels for Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures will remain high across the south coast for the next couple of days before overland flow brings things closer to seasonal for the rest of the week. Those onshore winds should also help move much of the smoke off the south coast. Check back for the latest conditions across British Columbia.
