Smoky skies bulletin issued in most corners of B.C.

Haze from wildfire smoke is expected to blanket regions in all corners of the province over the next 48 hours, prompting the province and local health authorities to issue a warning about health risks.

On Friday, the B.C. government, along with the First Nations Health Authority, Island Health, Interior Health and Northern Health, issued a smoky skies bulletin, saying that smoke will hang high in the air for the next 24 to 48 hours in the northeast, Fraser Canyon, central and southern Interior and Kootenay regions. 

Environment Canada has also issued several air quality statements for those areas.

"Wildfire smoke is a natural part of our environment, but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health," the bulletin reads. 

Donna Haga, an air quality meteorologist with the B.C. government, said residents can expect smoky skies as long as wildfires are burning in the province.

"it's impossible to say when the wildfire season will be over, but when there's no more impacts from wildfires, there won't be any more smoke," she said. 

The province is warning people with pre-existing health conditions, including those who have COVID-19 or respiratory infections, that wildfire smoke could exacerbate symptoms. 

"Everybody should follow their common sense," Haga said. "People respond differently to smoke."

Heat, thunderstorms on the way

Environment Canada has also issued heat warnings, and severe thunderstorm watches for much of the province. 

Thunderstorms are likely in the Arrow Lakes, Boundary, Okanagan, Fraser Canyon, Shuswap, Nicola and South Thompson regions, according to the weather agency. 

It says the storms could produce damaging wind gusts and torrential rain, which could cause flash flooding. 

Heat warnings are in effect for the central and north coast, eastern Vancouver Island, Fort Nelson, Howe Sound and North Thompson, as daytime highs could reach into the low 30s in some areas, according to Environment Canada.