Wildfire smoke darkens skies over Calgary as air quality alert continues

Smoke from wildfires burning in the Central Interior is going to push down into the Okanagan on Friday.

I’m guessing you want the bad news first: Don’t expect fresh air and clear skies on Thursday, because some of the smoke that has engulfed Puget Sound for four days will still be in the air.

Smoke could be blown out of the Tri-Cities on Friday and Saturday by clean air coming down the Columbia River Gorge, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say smoke will linger through 11 a.m. before beginning to blow out, dropping the temperatures into the low 70s. As such, everyone should limit their time and heavy exertion outdoors. Medical masks or standard dust masks do not provide the necessary level of protection.

“In many places in B.C., the forests adjacent to communities are so dense that even when you drop water on them from a water bomber the water all stays at the top of the trees and never makes it to the ground where the fire is travelling”.

“Even if you don’t have any symptoms today having this kind of exposure really puts you at increased risk in the future”, Blagev said.

Avoid driving, when possible.

Schools and daycare providers should consider postponing outdoor activities or moving them indoors. The Washington Smoke Information blog’s map of conditions reported that there was no recent data for the city.

In the Okanagan Valley, crews have been mainly mopping up following aggressive wildfires that broke out in early July, but a new fire has forced the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to issue an evacuation alert northwest of Summerland.

The air quality index was reported is sitting close to 130 on Tuesday morning, according to the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.

It is OK to use natural gas and propane grills, stoves, or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.