Once again, residents across Vancouver Island have woken up to smoke-filled skies on Tuesday as a haze continues to linger due to wildfires burning in the United States.
In an updated bulletin issued from Environment Canada, it suggests that smoke particles will remain in the air until at least Thursday, resulting in lowered visibility and poorer air quality.
“Very heavy smoke from the United States is continuing to have extensive impacts across the southern third of the province with lesser impacts extending into the mid-regions of the province,” reads a statement from the weather agency.
Although Environment Canada is predicting that the conditions will be variable over the next couple of days, the smoky skies will persist through to September 17.
As far as air quality goes for Tuesday, a large portion of Vancouver Island continues to be labelled as “very high risk” by the BC Air Quality Health Index.
By receiving a rating of 10+ on the AQHI scale, it means experts are recommending that residents in smoky areas avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion, according to the BC AQHI.
The high-risk rating currently extends from Victoria up to the Comox Valley.
As the air quality has remained low, concerns have mounted over children returning to the classrooms and the combined difficulties presented by COVID-19.
School districts have opted to remain open as of Tuesday, however, some have informed parents and students that additional safety measures will be taken as a result of the smoke-filled skies. These measures include keeping windows closed, monitoring students with pre-existing health conditions, and keeping students indoors during session breaks such as recess.
Both the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association and the Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association have called upon their respective districts to close schools until the wildfire smoke dissipates, stressing that it is “a recipe for COVID transmission.”
At this time, schools remain open on Vancouver Island.
Graham Cox
