Wildfire smoke severely affecting air quality across the Kootenays

Wildfire smoke from within B.C. and the United States is negatively affecting air quality across the West and East Kootenays this weekend.

On Saturday, the B.C. Air Quality Health Index was a “10+” for the West Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary and a “10” for the East Kootenays. Both of those ratings are to determine health risk. The B.C. Air Quality Health Index begins with a “1” for a low health risk up to “10” for high health risks.

The West Kootenay’s air quality station is based in Castlegar, while the East Kootenay’s is stationed in Cranbrook.

MORE: B.C. Air Quality Health Index (B.C. Government)

“Smoke forecast models indicate the potential for a significant push of smoke into B.C. throughout the weekend,” reads a Smoky Skies Bulletin, which is in effect for the majority of the province. “The anticipated smoke trajectory indicates that the areas impacted will grow to the north and east as the weekend progresses with the most widespread impacts expected on Sunday.”

“With falling temperatures overnight, temperature inversions in mountain valleys can increase the likelihood of smoke being trapped near the ground.”

The B.C. Government said localized wildfires including the Talbot Creek Wildfire north of Castlegar, the Woodbury Creek Wildfire northwest of Nelson, and the Doctor Creek Wildfire southwest of Canal Flats, are to blame for some of the smoky impacts. However, long-range transport from hundreds of wildfires burning in the western United States in Washington, Oregon, and California are also hampering air quality.

MORE: Smoky Skies Bulletin – September 11, 2020 (B.C. Government)

On Monday, September 14th, the B.C. Government may issue another Smoky Skies Bulletin to update for the current conditions.

Bradley Jones
Bradley Jones
Delivering local news and sports in the East Kootenay since April 2016, Bradley now calls Cranbrook home. Born and raised in Airdrie, AB, Bradley graduated from Lethbridge College, and has been a journalist, news anchor and reporter since 2014. Bradley took on local News Director responsibilities when he moved to Cranbrook in 2016. He is now Vista Radio's Kootenay News Director, managing and overseeing all news operations at the company's five regional radio stations in Cranbrook, Creston, Nelson, Castlegar, and Grand Forks.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Zoey – a dog with a mix of everything!

This weeks Summit Radio Pet of the Week from the BCSPCA is Zoey!

B.C. boosts funding to expand RCMP hate crime unit

British Columbia is significantly expanding the RCMP’s provincial hate crimes unit.

This year’s West Kootenay-Boundary Move to Cure ALS Walk raises over $20k

West Kootenay-Boundary Move to Cure ALS is walking the talk, all the way to $20,176.

Does the Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital need a second access?

The West Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital District Board has raised the long-standing issue of the need for a second access to Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.

Pape signs with Smoke Eaters

The Trail Smoke Eaters have signed another German defenseman.
- Advertisement -