The air quality in the eastern Fraser Valley is expected to fall throughout the day Friday, posing a “moderate health risk.”
The province’s air quality index for the region is expected to climb to five today, prompting an air quality advisory for the region.
For the general population, the air quality will have little impact. “No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation,” the ministry advises.
However, people with heart and breathing problems need to be more careful. “Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms.”
Wildfires like the one north of Harrison Hot Springs are partly responsible for the conditions, says Metro Vancouver, which monitors air quality in the Lower Mainland.
However, the real culprit is ground level ozone, “which is formed when nitrogen oxides (pollutants emitted when fuels are burned) and volatile organic compounds (emitted from solvents) react in the air in the presence of sunlight.”
