Smoke from Russian forest fires raises ozone levels to new high in B.C.

VANCOUVER – Drifting smoke from massive wildfires in Russia has pushed the ozone rating to never-before-seen levels in parts of British Columbia’s Interior.

But meteorologist Eric Taylor, from the B.C. Ministry of Environment, says the thick haze is expected to dissipate over the next 24 hours.

Experts say the yellow haze, which has blocked mountain views and creates spectacular sunsets, is mostly from fires burning in Siberia.

Taylor says he’s never seen ozone levels as high in B.C.’s central Interior as he’s seen in the last few days.

He says the Environment Ministry’s objective is to keep ozone levels below 82 parts per billion and the level in the Williams Lake areas has reached 84 parts per billion.

Ken Reid, with regional district of Metro Vancouver, says the smoke is drifting across the Pacific at several thousand feet before being forced to lower altitudes as it approaches B.C.