A Smoky Skies bulletin is in effect for both Quesnel and 100 Mile House.
However, Air Quality Meteorologist Donna Haga says the smoke is not from wildfires in our area.
“The smoke in and around Quesnel is coming from the up wind direction so towards the west there is a number of fires actively burning and of course they would be producing smoke and that smoke is getting pushed from west to east across the province right now.”
Haga says the smoke is expected to stay with us for at least the next couple of days.
“And as far as how long it’s going to last, the models are showing what’s happening now to continue through today (Monday) and into tomorrow, and beyond that it’s a bit to uncertain to tell.”
Haga says that will depend on a few things.
“Winds and amount of fire activity. Of course as the fires become less active and aren’t producing as much smoke then it really doesn’t matter which way the wind is blowing if there is no smoke to be transported. The other important consideration is precipitation because any precipitation can wash the smoke out of the air and can improve conditions.”
Haga says the bulletins are reviewed daily.
She says the major air contaminant from wildfire smoke i the fine particulate matter.
“The Air Quality Health Index is a communication tool for short term public health risk from air pollution and it does capture the component of wildfire smoke. So when the wildfire smoke is elevated the Air Quality Health Index reflects that, and the way it is communicated is through either a low, moderate, high or very high health risk with recommended actions people can take depending on what category it falls in.”
Haga says despite the smoke, the air quality in Quesnel and 100 Mile is still listed as being in the low health risk category.
