On again, off again smoky skies advisory back off again says Environment Canada
By Nelson Daily Staff
Rain has reduced the smoke in the West Kootenay/Boundary region to allow Environment Canada to halt the smoky skies advisory Monday afternoon.
On again, off again smoky skies advisory back on again says Environment Canada
Environment Canada has re-issued the smoky skies advisory for Boundary and Kootenay areas as of Monday.
The advisory includes the entire Okanagan Valley, north and South Thompson, Similkameen, Fraser Canyon, Nicola and Shuswap.
The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, said southerly winds have continued to spread further north heavy plumes of smoke from the large wildfires burning in Washington state, resulting in high concentrations of fine particulates and poor air quality.
Environment Canada said this episode is expected to persist until a major shift in wind patterns and weather conditions, smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.
This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Environment Canada ends smoky skies advisory remains West Kootenay, Boundary areas
Rain has reduced the smoke in the West Kootenay/Boundary region to allow Environment Canada to halt the smoky skies advisory Sunday afternoon.
The recent system that flowed through the region also allowed the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to lift the Evacuation Alert for areas of Electoral Area D south of the Kettle River, Industrial/Ruckle area of the City of Grand Forks, and the Cascade/Ponderosa area of Christina Lake/Electoral Area C.
Rain in forecast but smoky skies advisory remains West Kootenay, Boundary areas
The skies look better, thanks to the rain, but that hasn’t stopped Environment Canada from discontinuing the smoky skies advisory over the entire Boundary, Kootenay areas.
The advisory also includes Okanagan Valley, north and South Thompson, Similkameen, Fraser Canyon, Nicola and Shuswap.
For more information regarding smoke in the region, go to the Smoke Forecast website.
The Ministry of Environment works in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority to assess the air quality in the Southern Interior.
“Southerly winds have continued to spread further north heavy plumes of smoke from the large wildfires burning in Washington state, resulting in high concentrations of fine particulates and poor air quality,” said the Environment Canada website.
While this episode is expected to persist until a major shift in wind patterns and weather conditions, smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.”
Smoky skies advisory over the entire Okanagan Valley, north and South Thompson, Similkameen, Fraser Canyon, Nicola, Shuswap and the entire Boundary and Kootenay areas.
The public is advised to:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways.
- Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease.
This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Weather forecast for the West Kootenay calls for a risk of a thunderstorm Sunday and rain into the evening.
Monday, showers are called for the morning with up to 10 to 15 mm of precipitation expected.
