Northern BC wildfire smoke heading south into Kamloops, Okanagan

Kamloops and Okanagan residents have avoided the smell of smoke for the most part so far this wildfire season but today that changed.

A smoky skies bulletin has been issued for the next two days for a large portion of the BC Interior including the Thompson-Okanagan region.

Thompson-Okanagan residents will see and smell smoke for the next two days as it travels from blazes in northeastern BC in the Fort St. John and Fort Nelson areas.

READ MORE: Northern B.C. wildfire nudges key northern highway, Island route still cut by flames

The province is warning people with pre-existing health issues and those vulnerable to smoke to be mindful of their symptoms over the next 48 hours as smoke from wildfires in the north travels south, according to the the bulletin issued today, June 14.

Air quality is expected to deteriorate in the Kamloops area and North Okanagan throughout today and tomorrow, according to the FireSmoke.ca.

The air quality health index rates Kamloops and Vernon as a moderate risk this afternoon.

More information on the smoky skies bulletin can be found here.

The current smoky skies map as of June 14, 2023. SUBMITTED/Province of BC


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Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.