An air quality advisory has now been issued for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District after residents in many parts of B.C. woke up to smoke blanketing their regions.
The most affected areas on Tuesday morning included both southern Vancouver Island and B.C.’s southern Interior.
The smoke is so thick that the air quality health index is at 10 for Victoria and Saanich, according to Environment Canada. This means the health risk is very high and everyone is being urged to avoid strenuous activity outside. Those in higher-risk groups, such as children and the elderly, should take it easy.
The plumes are coming from a wildfire in Washington State, about 13 kilometres southeast of Midway, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
It’s estimated to be about 16 hectares in size.
The wildfire smoke is expected to stick around until at least Tuesday evening, according to Metro Vancouver.
In B.C., there are three wildfires of note as of Tuesday morning, with the Doctor Creek fire being the largest, burning about 25 kilometres southwest of Canal Flats, or about an hour’s drive north of Cranbrook.
No structures are currently threatened due to that blaze.