Metro Vancouver waiting for weather to cooperate as smoke looms in the sky
Posted September 15, 2020 4:29 pm.
Last Updated September 15, 2020 4:57 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Lower Mainland’s smoke point in the region is starting to dissipate, but it’ll be a few days before it disappears completely.
Metro Vancouver’s Ken Reid says it’s a matter of the weather cooperating.
“The forecast for the next few days is quite similar to what it is now, so we don’t expect a dramatic change until a more significant change in the weather which would likely occur Friday and through the weekend,” he explains.
According to Metro Vancouver, the air quality has improved overnight, but the ground-level smoke is expected to stick around through the week.
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“It’s still a little bit uncertain what that long-range forecast is,” Reid says. “We’ll be continuing to monitor the situation.”
Smoke has been drifting into the region from wildfires burning south of the border and an air quality advisory has been in place since Sept. 8 in Metro Vancouver.
Meanwhile, in New Westminster, the wildfire smoke mixed with the smoke from the Park Pier fire has lead to a warning in the area.
“At this time, we are advising people, particularly those who have chronic underlying health conditions or acute infections to refrain from participating in any outdoor physical activity, and to remain indoors as much as possible while still ensuring they maintain adequate physical distancing,” said Dr. Aamir Bharmal, Fraser Health medical health officer. “The best thing you can do at this time is to avoid the smoke. Minimize time outdoors and don’t spend time near the pier.”
The fire started Sunday and could still burn for a few days.
The smoke is slowly dissipating but it may not be completely gone for a while. #MetsOnTheMic talk smoke and rain on the way. @NEWS1130Weather @NEWS1130Weather @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/5fZklVf43c
— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) September 15, 2020
NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says while the quality is still poor, it’s at the better end of that scale compared to the day before.
Sun is expected to start peeking through Tuesday, with winds picking up by Thursday.
