Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment issued a “smoky skies” bulletin Tuesday for the Sunshine Coast and other areas in southwestern B.C.
According to the province, such bulletins are “a special type of public advisory to communicate the rapidly changing nature of wildfire smoke … issued when areas of the province are being impacted or have reasonable potential to be impacted by wildfire smoke within 24-48 hours.”
The bulletin says long-range transport of wildfire smoke from the United States has impacted air quality levels throughout much of southern B.C., including Vancouver Island, the coastal mainland, the Okanagan, as well as the Kootenays and boundary region.
“During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour,” the bulletin says. “Exposure to smoke may affect your health. People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.”
The Ministry of Environment is also reminding people that exposure to wildfire smoke and the virus that causes COVID-19 can both cause respiratory symptoms such as a dry cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing.
Health officials recommend people use the province’s COVID-19 online self-assessment tool or contact HealthLink at 811 “to help determine whether you need
further assessment or testing for COVID-19.”
Environment Canada is also advising people on the Coast that an upper ridge of high pressure is drawing warm air north from the U.S., leading to warmer than usual temperatures for this time of year.
“Temperatures will peak on Wednesday and Thursday with daytime highs that are 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal for this time of year,” the statement says. “Overnight lows will also be up to 5 degrees warmer than seasonal in some areas.”
