Interior Health has issued a smoky skies advisory for the Okanagan Valley as forest fire smoke continues to choke the sky.
The Ministry of Environment along with IHA say that smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour, and temperatures change. Residents are being told to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and to contact a health care provider if you experience difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, or sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways. Smoke levels may be lower indoors; however, levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.
Smoke from the Westside Road fire is filling the sky (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
The risk is currently the highest in the North Okanagan as the air quality is six out of ten, which means there is a moderate health risk to residents. Those members of the public who are sensitive to the effects of smoke should monitor their symptoms and, if necessary, take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke.
Real-time air quality information in Vernon, Kelowna and other communities in B.C. is available at http://www.bcairquality.ca.
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