Saturday August 19, 2023 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 4:15 pm]
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
This morning many people on south Vancouver Island woke to see an orange hue in the sky.
It’s from wildfire smoke. | See Wildfire Update Aug 18 – State of Emergency | Wildfire Update Aug 19 – tourism accommodation restrictions
The smoky day in many places today sees people changing plans if outdoor activity is hard on their health. Sooke had their All-Sooke Day today outdoors in a park. Butchart Gardens on the Saanich Peninsula remains open but tonight’s fireworks are cancelled.
Wildfire smoke also contains components of the fire retardant chemicals that are used to combat the fires.
Map shows impacted areas:
The Regions of BC highlighted on the map as issued by the Air Quality Section of the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy are the areas being impacted or are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.
Outflow winds are bringing smoke to the south coast region. Smoke concentrations will be variable across the south interior depending on local winds.
Daily bulletins for now:
The next bulletin update from the Air Quality Section (Assessments and Stewardship), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, will be available August 20, 2023.
Today’s bulletin can be accessed online at https://www.gov.bc.ca/airqualityadvisories
Be informed:
During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.
Wildfire smoke is a natural part of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health.
People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
===== RELATED:
Smoky skies in the west shore (August 20, 2023)
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