Air quality advisory in effect for Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley
An air quality advisory is in effect for parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as wildfire smoke and high temperatures create hazy, potentially hazardous conditions.
Metro Vancouver issued the advisory Wednesday due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone and the regional district says it is expected to remain in effect until a change in weather.
"Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds, temperatures, and wildfire behaviour changes," the advisory says.
According to Geoff Doerkson, an air quality planner with Metro Vancouver, this is not the earliest in the summer an advisory has been issued due to wildfire smoke.
He says that record was set in 2009, although in recent years, the frequency of advisories has increased.
"Six of the last eight summers, our region has been significantly impacted by wildfire smoke," Doerkson said. "And our climate projections indicate this will only become more frequent and severe with the changing climate."
The advisory covers northeast and southeast Metro Vancouver, which includes Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, the North Shore, the tri-cities and parts of Richmond and Delta. It also covers the central and eastern parts of the Fraser Valley which includes Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack and Hope.
A map from the regional district shows risk ranging from moderate to high. People in the region are urged to consider reducing or postponing strenuous outdoor activity, especially if they are at higher risk.
Those with health conditions like asthma, COPD, lung disease or heart disease are particularly vulnerable, as are younger children, those who are pregnant and seniors. Outdoor workers and people who are homeless or otherwise "socially marginalized" are also at heightened risk.
The regional district says "both cool and clean air" are important, and encourages people to seek out public air-conditioned spaces if they do not have AC at home.
Anyone with symptoms including chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing is advised to seek medical attention.
Wiht files from CTV News Vancouver's Ben Miljure.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.