Many Vancouver Island residents woke up to some smoke and haze this morning to go along with air quality advisories, however, the situation is worse once you cross the pond.
As a result of smoke, combined with pollution, Metro Vancouver’s air is considered to be more unbreathable than most of the world’s smoggiest epicentres.
The region’s air quality currently ranks among the worst in the world, according to IQAir.
The smoky skies over British Columbia have caused by wildfires burning all along the west coast of the United States.
Three of the cities sitting ahead of Vancouver on the list are all located within this west coast wildfire territory: Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco.
Wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington State have killed seven people, with growing fears more have died in towns destroyed throughout the West. Watch video from the fires.
The latest: https://t.co/CVKquE14hQ pic.twitter.com/1MaZlpKsNA
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 10, 2020
B.C.’s Air Quality Health Index indicates on Friday that there are “very high” health risks for people living in Metro Vancouver as well as Victoria and the West Shore.
This has been caused in large part due to high concentrations of smoke particles lingering over the communities.
While Victoria, West Shore and Vancouver are all sitting at 10+ risk ratings on the Air Quality Health Index spectrum, Island communities such as Nanaimo (7) and Duncan (6) have seen their air quality decline since Friday morning.
The smoky air is expected to create some issues for people with chronic, underlying medical or other conditions, according to Environment Canada.
“Smoke forecast models indicate the potential for a significant push of smoke into BC throughout the weekend. The anticipated smoke trajectory indicates that the areas impacted will grow to the north and east as the weekend progresses with the most widespread impacts expected on Sunday,” reads a statement from Environment Canada.
The weather agency suggests that smoke will linger throughout B.C. for the next 24-72 hours as winds continue to change.
“If you or those in your care are exposed to wildfire smoke, consider taking extra precautions to reduce your exposure. Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health,” cautions Environment Canada.
Meanwhile, the air quality just south of the border Washington state is diminishing to a “very unhealthy level,” with the index reading near or above the 200-level in many parts.
A view of the air quality index map, courtesy of IQAir
Graham Cox
