Tag: Air Quality

Wildfire smoke blanketed southern B.C. on Friday, prompting widespread air quality warnings.

Air quality warnings have been upgraded to orange for several regions of southern and central B.C. as wildfire smoke is expected to linger for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Meanwhile, orange warnings are in place for parts of the Cariboo region. 

During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

According to Environment Canada, this is due to elevated fine particulate matter in the air.

Current conditions are expected to persist until weather conditions change and/or local emissions are reduced.

People may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the Prince George area.  They say Prince George, along with a large number of other areas of the province such as the Fraser Canyon and Okanagan, are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke for the next 24-48 hours.