Wildfire smoke has turned typically yellow and orange sunrises, like this one in Nanaimo's Departure Bay, bright red. (submitted photo/Julie Boyer)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

air quality

More hazy skies forecast as Interior wildfire smoke blankets Nanaimo

Aug 28, 2023 | 9:28 AM

NANAIMO — A sizeable layer of wildfire smoke is blanketing B.C.

Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement for many regions, including Nanaimo and Oceanside, late Sunday, Aug. 27, advising of wildfire smoke persisting in strong concentrations for the next 24 to 48 hours.

The source of the smoke is fires from B.C.’s interior.

“Easterly winds continue to transport smoke from the Southern Interior towards the Lower Mainland and the Island, causing hazy conditions with some regions more heavily impacted,” Environment Canada’s advisory noted.

Most of the smoke locally is staying at higher elevations, with the Nanaimo air quality monitoring station reporting a low risk of health impacts Monday morning.

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Relatively moderate concentrations are forecast through much of Monday and Tuesday with a potential, brief increase in the early evening hours of Monday.

Smoke is expected to dissipate by Wednesday.

“People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”

The situation is largely similar across B.C. with forecasts for Monday evening calling for air quality at a “4-moderate” or “5-moderate” on the province’s 11-step scale.

Higher concentrations were expected around Smithers, Prince George and Quesnel.

“If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator-type mask that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health.”

Latest air quality readings are available through the provincial air quality index.

Smoke is blanketing much of B.C., courtesy fires from the interior. (FireSmoke.ca)

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