Wildfire smoke and sizzling temperatures have prompted an air quality warning for the Eastern Fraser Valley, says Metro Vancouver.
An air quality warning went into effect Sunday (Aug. 24) for parts of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver, due to elevated ground-level ozone, or smog, and on Monday (Aug. 25) saw an extra warning added for fine particulate matter in the Eastern Fraser Valley in addition to the smog.
"Hot and sunny conditions with temperatures reaching the low 30s Sunday have resulted in elevated smog in parts of the region," according to Metro Vancouver's air quality update.
A decision to continue the ground-level ozone warning was expected late Monday afternoon but residents can expect the smog to hang around.
But it's not just the heat wave, it's also the hazy conditions caused by drifting wildfire smoke from the Sailor Bar fire, north of Yale in the Fraser Canyon.
"An air quality warning is also in effect for Eastern Fraser Valley due to elevated fine particulate matter," said the AQ update.
Fine particulates in the air can impact health at higher than normal levels.
Smoke from the Sailor Bar wildfire burning north of Yale in the Fraser Canyon has resulted in high levels of fine particulate matter in the air.
The fine PM warning is expected to remain in place until conditions improve and the air clears.
"Smoke is contributing to hazy conditions across the region," said Metro officials.
"Staff are closely watching smoke conditions and reviewing air quality monitoring data, as wildfire behaviour and smoke movement can change quickly.鈥�"
Check the for regional AQ updates.