While wildfire smoke has been in the Kamloops area for several days, the air quality has declined more significantly this weekend.
The Air Quality Health Index in Kamloops was raised to 10+ on Saturday, which remains in effect this morning. That’s the worst air quality reading right now in the province, and the air quality is similar for other communities close to significant wildfires, including Lytton and Spences Bridge, among many others.
Environment Canada says smoke will likely be settled into the southern Interior for at least 24 to 48 hours.
There’s a special air quality statement in place, which was first brought in last week, and forecasters are telling people to limit exposure to the smoke if they can.
“Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health,” the weather statement says.
Meanwhile, a heat warning also remains in place from Environment Canada. It affected most of the province for the past week, but as of this morning the heat warning is only in place for the southern Interior.
Today in Kamloops, the forecast calls for a chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms this afternoon, with a forecast high of 33 degrees Celsius. The overnight low is expected to drop to 19 C with a chance of showers.
Tomorrow, the forecast is again calling for a chance of showers and a thunderstorm risk, with a high of 30 C, while Tuesday will be sunny with a high of 34 C – although wildfire smoke could continue to block out much of the sunshine at that point.
Air quality has deteriorated in #Kamloops with thick smoke settling in. The Air Quality Health Index in Kamloops is at 10+ this morning. @ECCCWeatherBC is maintaining a special air quality statement for the southern Interior. #bcwildfires @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/1JPxaM6SDE
— Colton Davies (@ColtonDavies_) July 4, 2021