Thick blanket of smoke in Okanagan may linger for another couple days
Global News
Shelagh and Ian Stevens were supposed to be in Jasper, Alta., Tuesday. Instead, the couple visiting from England was touring Kelowna. “We’re supposed to be in Jasper but that got cancelled,” said Shelagh Stevens. “Because of the wildfires.” The couple decided to hike Knox Mountain despite the thick smoke blanketing the Okanagan. “What a shame...
Shelagh and Ian Stevens were supposed to be in Jasper, Alta., Tuesday. Instead, the couple visiting from England was touring Kelowna.
“We’re supposed to be in Jasper but that got cancelled,” said Shelagh Stevens. “Because of the wildfires.”
The couple decided to hike Knox Mountain despite the thick smoke blanketing the Okanagan.
“What a shame we are not going to see the views,” the British tourist said.
According to Global News meteorologist Peter Quinlan, the smoke in the area is from a number of fires in the Pacific Northwest.
“Much of the smoke is coming from fires right along the international border, the ones around Manning Park and some of it is actually coming from the other fires in the northwestern United States,” Quinlan said.
The heavy smoke resulted in the air quality index hovering between five and six out of 10 on Tuesday for the Central Okanagan.
Considered a moderate risk, Interior Health (IH) is advising the younger and older population and those with medical conditions to limit time spent outdoors.
