The poor air quality in parts of our region is off the charts.
The South Okanagan and Boundary are rated as “very high health risk” by Interior Health. Other parts of the West Kootenay are rated as “moderate health risk.”
And forecasts suggest these southerly winds are here for a number of days.
The wind has been widely spreading heavy plumes of smoke northwards from the large wildfires burning in Washington state.
Interior Health says this will persist until a shift in wind patterns and weather conditions.
Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.
People with health issues as well as children and the elderly should avoid strenuous activities outdoors.
The general population should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity.