Air quality warnings expand across southern B.C. due to lingering wildfire smoke

Almost all of southern B.C. was under an air quality warning Friday as wildfire smoke blanketed the region.

Environment Canada said a high-pressure system over the province was preventing the smoke from clearing.

An orange air quality warning was in place for much of the southern Interior, from the Nicola region to the East Kootenay and north to the North Thompson region.

Environment Canada recommended people in those areas avoid strenuous outdoor activities and stay indoors in a space with cleaner air.

Several surrounding regions were under a yellow air quality alert, indicating smoke posed a lower health risk but could still affect people’s health.

A yellow air quality alert issued earlier in the week for Metro Vancouver and parts of the Fraser Valley ended Friday.

Air Quality Health Index stations in Williams Lake, Kamloops, the North, Central and South Okanagan, Cranbrook and Castlegar were reporting a very high health risk Friday, with a high risk forecast into Saturday night.

Environment Canada said people with health conditions, pregnant people, children and older adults were more likely to be affected by wildfire smoke.

It said people should seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, chest pain or a severe cough.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said about 100 active wildfires were burning in the province, including major fires in the Fraser Canyon, Cariboo and Okanagan regions that had forced thousands of people from their homes.

The service said lingering smoke was reducing visibility for aircraft and fire-detection technology. It encouraged people to report any new wildfires they spotted.