Wildfire smoke air quality advisory issued for Lower Mainland

An air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley continued on Monday amid concerns over wildfire smoke.

Metro Vancouver warned of high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in the air over the “next day or two.”

Smoke from wildfires burning in the interior of B.C. and Washington has moved into and over our region, contributing to elevated fine particulate matter concentrations and hazy skies,” the advisory read. “Onshore winds forecast for Tuesday may begin to clear the smoke.”

As of early Monday afternoon, Metro Vancouver’s AirMap listed the central Fraser Valley as eight, or “high risk.”

Metro Vancouver was rated a one or two, or “low risk.”

The regional district says smoke concentrations are expected to vary widely across the region depending on wildfire behaviour, temperature and wind.

Seniors, children and pregnant women, along with people who have chronic underlying medical conditions or infections such as COVID-19, are particularly at risk, Metro Vancouver said.

The public and vulnerable people, in particular, are advised to avoid outdoor physical activity while the advisory is in place.