The 800 hectare wildfire burning in Lillooet is many kilometres from Vancouver, but residents in the Lower Mainland are also feeling its effect - with air quality deteriorating in recent days.
With temperatures of more than 30 degrees expected to continue for several days in many inland areas, getting a breath of fresh air could be a concern for those with respiratory problems.
Smoke from several fires in the Lillooet area is being blown into the Vancouver airshed down Howe Sound, bringing with it a blanket of white haze over several parts of Metro Vancouver.
Air quality officials are keeping a close eye on the matter.
"At our monitoring stations, we're seeing a rise in particulate concentrations," Ken Reid, Metro Vancouver's air quality planner, said Tuesday.
"They are not at a level where we would be considering issuing an advisory and were not exceeding objectives, but it certainly is higher than we would have expected on a day like this."
But according to Environment Canada, recent air quality readings should be of concern for people with some health problems.
Air quality is rated from one to 10. One to three means it's safe for everyone to exercise outside, but a level of four to six hit many areas Tuesday, meaning people with heart or breathing problems should consider reducing physical exertion outdoors.
British Columbia has experienced higher than normal temperatures for this time of year, with temperatures soaring up to 10 degrees higher than normal. These trends are expected to continue
"We're looking at staying above seasonal for the rest of the week with Tuesday and Wednesday looking like the hottest days," Meteorologist Jesse Mason said.
For now, the air quality in the Upper Fraser Valley is good, but as expected, all the smoke and smog that's further west will likely make its way to Metro Vancouver as well.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Julia Foy
