While smoke from nearby wildfires is expected to linger over eastern Vancouver Island for the time being, weather experts don't predict it'll reach the level of an air quality warning. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW.com)

By Canadian Press

smoky skies

Environment Canada expands air alerts as wildfire smoke spreads over B.C.

Sep 5, 2025 | 9:12 AM

VANCOUVER — Environment Canada’s special air-quality statements for wildfire smoke have now expanded to cover most of British Columbia, with air quality at its worst possible level in parts of the Fraser Valley.

However, Vancouver Island should be spared from any air quality advisory, but smoky conditions are expected to persist into the weekend.

Air quality meteorologist with the B.C. Government Nick Davey said predicting air quality can be tricky for coastal B.C. due to shifting wind patterns, with their current models not predicting air quality advisories for Vancouver Island for Friday, Sept. 5, but it could change.

“We are expecting some smoke to move south in the interior of the province, and then we are going to get some outflowing winds, which will bring some of the smoke towards Vancouver Island, but we’re relying on models right now to tell us that it shouldn’t be reaching the Island itself. You’ll definitely see it visible on the horizon for sure.”

As of Friday morning, the air quality index for Vancouver Island remained in the low-risk category. The Nanaimo and Duncan areas were at level two, while Victoria and the Comox Valley were at level one.

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Davey said some expected rain this weekend should help the situation a bit, but we’re likely to see smoky conditions persist heading into next week.

“The rain will help a little bit, but it certainly won’t end our fire season. It looks like the weather patterns are quite complicated. We’ve got some wind coming down, moving the smoke down from the north, but then those winds are going to be shifting and we may see some smoke coming up from the south from the fires in Washington State.”

The current alerts advise people to limit or avoid outdoor activity and are now in place for all of B.C. outside of Vancouver Island, the Central and North Coast, Haida Gwaii and about a quarter of the province on its northern edge.

An air-quality warning continues to be in effect in Metro Vancouver, covered by orange smoke haze for a third day.

Monitoring from the Metro Vancouver Regional District shows air-quality levels at the worst level of 10-plus in the eastern Fraser Valley near Chilliwack and Hope, posing a “very high-risk” to health.

Environment Canada says the smoke over much of the province will likely persist for up to the next 48 hours, with Metro Vancouver warning the conditions may continue until the weather pattern changes.

The forecast calls for a 30 per cent chance of showers by Saturday, followed by more possible rain on Sunday and Monday.

The smoky conditions are related to wildfires in B.C. and elsewhere, as well as persistent heat that saw five areas break or tie daily temperature records on Thursday.

With files from Jon De Roo, 97.3 FM The Eagle.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2025.

The Canadian Press