A air advisory has been issued for the Greater Vancouver area as very high temperatures react with harmful air pollutants.
Wildfires are continuing to wreak havoc across the province. Concentrations of fine particle debris are being carried through the atmosphere and reach distances far away.
A wildfire near Harrison Hot Springs is being blamed for some of the smoke that is currently spreading into the Fraser Valley, as the wind and the weather continue to affect the fire’s behaviour.
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When pollutants from burned fossil fuels react with very warm temperatures and sunlight the result is an excess production of ground-level ozone. This is the real cause for alarm in the haze filtering into the Lower Mainland, and a warning of this kind has not been issued since 2015 in Metro Vancouver.
Air Advisory
The Government of Canada has issued the following air advisory for people living in the Metro Vancouver area:
“Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease. If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, follow the advice of your healthcare provider. As we are in the summer season with warm temperatures, it is also important to stay cool and hydrated. Indoor spaces with air conditioning may offer relief from both heat and air pollution.”
Be prepared for the conditions to persist for at least the next 24 hours, and standby for further updates.