Canada Post deliveries in Okanagan paused amid wildfire smoke, air quality concerns
Posted July 29, 2021 7:57 am.
Last Updated July 29, 2021 7:59 am.
KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) – Parts of the Okanagan Valley didn’t get their mail delivered on Wednesday due to poor air quality.
A notice from Canada Post says service delivery was suspended for the day in Kelowna, Penticton, and Oliver due to the smoke from wildfires. As a result of conditions, a “red service alert” was issued.
“The safety of our employees is our number one priority,” reads a tweet from Canada Post. “A Red service alert means that we are suspending delivery for the day and not sending our delivery agents out, as air quality conditions have made it unsafe.”
The safety of our employees is our number one priority. A Red service alert means that we are suspending delivery for the day and not sending our delivery agents out, as air quality conditions have made it unsafe.
(2/4)#BCFires
— Canada Post Helps (@canadaposthelps) July 28, 2021
It’s unclear if deliveries will resume Thursday, as wildfires continue to burn and as temperatures rise due to another heatwave.
Canada Post says it continues to assess the situation, and that alerts can be issued for communities or entire provinces, if necessary, depending on weather events.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, there are 245 active fires burning across the province, with many in the Kamloops and Southeast fire centres.
Smoke has been drifting into many parts of B.C. and even across the country, as dry conditions continue to challenge fire suppression efforts.
