Kamloops, Okanagan heat going away but smoke here to stay

Temperatures are expected to head back down to normal, but the thick yellow haze over the Okanagan is expected to stick around for a little while yet.

Due to wildfire smoke, the entire Okanagan has hit the maximum on the air quality risk scale, and Kamloops isn’t far behind. But, the good news is that the heat wave should subside by the weekend with temperatures falling back to around 30 Celsius.

The Central Okanagan has an orange air quality advisory but the rest of the region is a step below at a yellow air quality advisory.

Even though the Environment Canada warnings are different, IQAir.com is showing similar air quality indexes throughout Kamloops and the Okanagan. According to IQAir the Okanagan has some of the worst air quality in the world at the moment.

The air quality is so bad that the BC Summer Games in Kelowna have called off all outdoor events today, but indoor events and the opening ceremony are supposed to go ahead.

Environment Canada meteorologist Janelle Gergely said that wildfire smoke conditions can change rapidly, but with the wind patterns in the forecast she expects air quality advisories to stay in place for the next few days.

“It’s almost like consistently projecting fresh smoke from the fires to the southwest towards Kamloops,” she said. “It’s likely with the close proximity of the fires that those (air quality advisories) would probably stay out.”

Even though the advisories are likely to stay in place, Gergely said there should be some improvement over the next day or two.

She said people should keep an eye on the air quality health index.

“Our nose and our eyes aren’t always the best indicator. So it’s those sensors and the air quality health index that’s gonna be your best friend in cases like this,” she said.

People have been advised to stay indoors.

“Exposure to high smoke levels can pose threat to your health regardless of age or health status. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Stay indoors in a space with cleaner air,” Environment Canada said in the air quality advisory for Central Okanagan.