Smoky skies advisory issued for entire Thompson-Okanagan region

THOMPSON OKANAGAN – If the visible smoke in the sky wasn't enough to warn you, a smoky skies advisory has now been issued for a large portion of the Southern Interior.

The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, has issued a smoky skies advisory for the Thompson, Shuswap, Nicola, Fraser Canyon, Okanagan, Similkameen and Boundary regions because of encroaching forest fires. 

Yesterday we remained at a 'low' air quality health index but the index increased overnight and then again in the morning and we now sit at a moderate level of five (on a scale of 1 to 10) throughout the region.

Advisories have also been issued for much of the coast including Metro Vancouver and parts of Vancouver Island over the last few days as several large fires burn in the province, including a 20,000-hectare one in Pemberton.

The advisory notes smoke concentrations will vary as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.

Smoky sky advisories are issued when smoke concentrations in an area have, or may, reach levels that are of concern to human health. 

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort, sudden onset of cough or irritation of the airways, contact your health care provider.

Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease. To reduce your risk, stay cool and hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities. 

This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.