Smoke on the way for B.C.’s South Coast this weekend

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — It may be hot, but at least we haven’t had to endure particularly smoky conditions so far on the B.C. coast.

However, that is about to end.

Wildfire smoke from the Interior and the U.S. is closing in on the Lower Mainland.

Looking at some of the forecast models, the smoke is squeezing in on B.C.’s south coast. The smoke from the east, and southeast, is expected to bring a wall of haze over the weekend.

NEWS 1130 weather specialist Michelle Yi says Friday will be the last clear day for awhile.

“The majority of the wildfire smoke coming from the southern interior has made its way into Alberta, but as that upper air flow switches to an easterly direction on Saturday, we are going to see more widespread smoke over the weekend,” Yi explained.

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That means hazy sky and difficult breathing for some with pre-existing health conditions.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says smoke increases the workload on the lungs.

“People who have asthma, POP, heart disease, and diabetes, particularly, but we also know that pregnant people also have issues,” said Henry, who also urged people to ensure they stay in places with cool, clean air over the next few days.

“That smoke will continue to move [west] towards the Island, but it won’t see the worse of that smoke until next week,” Yi said.

UBC’s Weather Forecast Research Team produce research forecasts which show a worsening situation over the next 72 hours.

As of Friday morning, Environment Canada had not issued an air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley.

Meanwhile, the BC Wildfire Service says a shift in the weather over the coming days will also bring a bit of rain for the Interior, which could help firefighting efforts, but that will also mean a risk of lightning.

The Service says scorching temperatures that have kept wildfire danger ratings at extreme are also expected to cool next week.

Winds are predicted to clear some of the wildfire smoke in the Interior for the weekend at least.

The number of active fires in B.C. has fallen over the past week to 242, including 36 of concern.