Vancouver Island remains covered by wildfire smoke.
On Sunday morning, many across the Island woke up to smoky skies and the smell of wood smoke for the third straight day.
The lingering smoke is due to wildfires that continue to burn in Washington, Oregon and California, causing poor air quality across the Island and elsewhere in B.C.
Victoria, West Shore, Nanaimo and Comox Valley continue to have an Air Quality Health Index rating of plus 10 due to high concentrations of smoke particles. The air index rates a community on a scale of one to ten – with one being the cleanest air and plus 10 being the worst.
It is recommended that people reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities especially when experiencing coughing and throat irritation.
Those with pre-existing chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as pregnant women, infants and small children, and the elderly are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by the wildfire smoke, according to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.
The BCCDC recommends people use a portable HEPA air cleaner in their home, drink lots of water, and take it easy on smoky days.
For those venturing outside of their home, the BCCDC recommends visiting public spaces such as community centres, libraries, and shopping malls, which they say usually has cleaner and cooler indoor air.
The smoky skies are not expected to last much longer as Environment Canada says the smoke is expected to clear by tomorrow.
Additional information can be found at www.bccdc.ca.
Here's another startling #smokyskies before and after… Sidney on Thursday and then yesterday. #AirQuality risk 10+ for #YYJ again today and #AirQualityAdvisory in effect for all of Vancouver Island & Metro Vancouver. #yvr More @CHEK_News 5 p.m.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kenny Podmore pic.twitter.com/1Vh3s0f6YE
— Tess van Straaten (@tessvanstraaten) September 13, 2020
It’s a smoky #SundayFunday #VancouverIsland 😊 Here’s your #VanIsle #weather ✅
SOUTH 16 🌫 ⚠️10+
EAST 18 🌫 ⚠️10+
WEST 17 🌫 ⚠️
NORTH 15 🌫 ⚠️⚠️ Air quality advisory
Full forecast @CHEK_News 5 p.m.PHOTO: Cordova Bay by Gary Pleven #bcwx #ourisland #smokyskies pic.twitter.com/ALgcIxdPW3
— Tess van Straaten (@tessvanstraaten) September 13, 2020
Wildfire smoke can have a negative impact on your immune system. Protect yourself from smoke by creating cleaner air spaces at home by using a portable air cleaner. Keep your space cool using an air conditioner, fans or window shades. More info: https://t.co/rj89tEAPvz pic.twitter.com/PnAsx42YPO
— BCCDC (@CDCofBC) September 13, 2020
Good morning! Smoky skies continue to hang over #YYJ.
Here are some photos I took earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/M4imLs88eV
— Nicholas M Pescod (@npescod) September 13, 2020
CHEK News
