Smoke lingers over parts of B.C., some relief for South Coast Saturday

Residents across the southern half of British Columbia continue to cope with smoke from wildfires burning across the province.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for 31 different regions. That means a continuation of smoke causing poor air quality and visibility.

• Kamloops experiencing worst air quality in its recorded history

"I guess with climate change it means it's something we're going to see more frequently," said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

"I think this is probably a record for us in the Lower Mainland and the Interior for the length of time that we've seen these high levels across such a wide swath of territory," he added.

His office is monitoring emergency room admissions and expects the number of people seeking medical help due to smoke to increase as current conditions continue.

As of 6:23 a.m. PT Friday, 10 communities had reached a seven out of 10 on the Air Quality Health Index:

• Central Fraser Valley.
• Central Okanagan.
• Eastern Fraser Valley.
• Kamloops.
• Metro Vancouver - NE.
• Metro Vancouver - NW.
• North Okanagan.
• South Okanagan.
• Squamish.
• Whistler.

When the index shows a number of seven or higher, Environment Canada recommends that children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions "take it easy" and reduce outdoor activities.

The general population should do the same if they start to cough or feel an itch in their throat.

Still, Kendall says there won't be any long-term consequences for the majorty of people.

"Because this, air quality is probably comparable to what people live with on a daily basis in Beijing," he said.

Some relief Saturday?

CBC Meteorologist Johanna Wagstaff says temperatures across southern B.C. will linger in the low to mid-30s for the "foreseable future."

Northerly winds over the Interior will keep pushing wildfire smoke down onto southern B.C. Friday.

However, there could be some relief on Saturday for the South Coast as problem winds move inland and switch direction.

Any change in conditions will be short-lived though, according to Wagstaffe.

"Wildfire smoke will be an ongoing problem in the long range with no significant precipitation expected over the wildfires through next week," she said.

Wagstaffe says Kelowna and Victoria have now matched other dry years where no rain fell during the month of July.

This summer is the seventh driest in Vancouver's recorded weather history. Around one millimetre of rain kissed the ground a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, smoke from B.C. wildfires has drifted south into Washington State and Oregon, causing #smokezilla to start trending on Twitter.

High concentrations of particulate matter in the atmosphere from the smoke scatters light and reduces visibility.

It also causes vibrant sunsets and eery skies.

Impact of smoke

Vancouver's Downtown Business Improvement Association says it has no firm numbers to show a negative impact on businesses, but it has noticed that more shoppers are going indoors to malls where there is air conditioning to shop.

B.C. Ambulance Service says it has seen an increase in calls due to poor air quality.

The City of Vancouver will keep cooling centres, such as community centres, open this weekend and for the holiday Monday.

It is also installing extra temporary water fountains and providing sunscreen and water to volunteers at the Pride Parade, Celebration of Light and the Powell Street Festival.

Here's a look at the skies from CBC bureaus around the province as of 12 p.m. PT Friday.

Kamloops

Victoria

Prince George

• How to stay safe in smoky air: Tips from health experts
• Hazy skies and warm weather combination to continue all week in B.C.
• B.C. wildfire season worst since 1958