Smoke from two wildfires south of Burns Lake is expected to reach the central Island beginning Tuesday night, increasing the level of haze in the region and decreasing air quality. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Alex Rawnsley

hazy skies

Smoke expected across mid-Island from northern B.C. wildfires

Aug 6, 2024 | 12:03 PM

NANAIMO — Expect some smoky skies across the region for the next couple of days.

Environment Canada is calling for “local smoke” in the Nanaimo and Oceanside areas, beginning overnight Tuesday, Aug. 6, stemming from major wildfires in B.C.’s north.

A pair of blazes west of Prince George and south of Burns Lake are providing the majority of the haze, with smoke first drifting west and then being picked up by coastal winds moving south.

“[Those fires are] really producing more the stronger concentration of smoke that’s descending down on the Vancouver Island,” meteorologist Brian Proctor said. “We’re also seeing a little bit of smoke drift in and across…from the mainland.”

Both the R11204 and the Michel Creek fires each measure around 11,200 hectares and were discovered in mid-July.

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Neither fire is close to any populated areas or threatening lives or property.

Smoke is forecast to reach the region beginning just after dinner on Tuesday and persist at least until Wednesday.

Air quality levels are forecast to change as a result, with the region listed as a 2 – Low on the province’s 10-step scale on Tuesday, but due to reach 4 – Moderate by Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Under those conditions, the province recommends people prone to air quality-related illness to “consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms.”

The scale goes to a 10+, representing extremely hazardous air quality.

“More hazy than really concentrated smoke, because it’s not looking like a large-scale fumigation event,” Proctor said of the conditions expected this week. “In general terms, I think it’s going to be more of a hindrance than a large-scale problem.”

Conditions are expected to persist until the latter half of the weekend when a cooling trend is expected to bring temperatures closer to normal for this time of year.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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