New air quality warning issued for Metro Vancouver as wildfire smoke arrives
A day after ending an air quality advisory related to ground-level ozone caused by hot weather, Metro Vancouver has issued a new air quality advisory because of wildfire smoke.
The regional authority announced the latest air quality advisory in a news release Sunday afternoon, saying "high concentrations of fine particulate matter" are expected over the next few days.
"Smoke from wildfires burning in the Interior of B.C. and Washington has moved into and over our region, contributing to elevated fine particulate matter concentrations and hazy skies," Metro Vancouver said in the statement. "Onshore winds forecast for Tuesday may begin to clear the smoke."
The advisory is in place for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District. Metro Vancouver said smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as wind, temperatures and fire behaviour all change.
"Fine particulate matter" is defined as airborne solid or liquid particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less. Metro Vancouver says such particles "can easily penetrate indoors" because of their small size.
Exposure to fine particulate matter is of particular concern for people with underlying conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and diabetes, according to Metro Vancouver.
People with respiratory infections, including COVID-19, as well as children, infants, older adults and people who are pregnant are also at elevated risk, as are people experiencing homelessness, the regional authority said.
Metro Vancouver recommends postponing or reducing outdoor physical activity until the advisory is lifted; staying cool and hydrated; and seeking shelter in indoor spaces with air conditioning and HEPA air filtration.
Those experiencing chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing should seek medical attention, Metro Vancouver says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canada's longstanding blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma was harmful and discriminatory, Canadian Blood Services acknowledged on Friday, in issuing an apology to the LGBTQ2S+ community.