A plume of smoke that is hanging over much of B.C.’s south coast due to the wildfires burning across the province altered some travel plans this morning.
Executive Vice President of Harbour Air Group Randy Wright says with the fine particulate matter suspended in the air, visibility is the issue.
“It is a unique situation with the smoke from the forest fires up north,” says Wright. “We’ve had to divert flights from Coal Harbour, Vancouver to Richmond, YVR.”
Wright says Coal Harbour had the thickest smoke on the Coast.
Whistler, Sechelt, Comox and Nanaimo saw flights cancelled.
The flights have now returned to normal operation, flying in and out of downtown Vancouver.
Wright says they were treating the unusual smoke conditions like a typical fog day.
“But, in my career of 15 years, I have not seen a smoke advisory like this. This is new to me and very unique,” he says.
An air quality advisory is currently in effect for Metro Vancouver. The advisory has been expanded to include the Fraser Valley and the Sea-to-Sky corridor, including Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
Sunday night, Environment Canada listed the Metro Vancouver air quality index at a 10+, or “Very High Risk.” The Index currently stands at 4, signifying “Moderate Risk.”
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