Don’t expect to be breathing easy today.
Smoke has settled into the valley and isn’t expected to move on until the rain arrives later this week.
Currently the Air Quality Health Index ratings from Lumby to Peachland and onward through the South Okanagan are pegged at seven, which means there is a high health risk for babies, the elderly and those who have health complications.
RELATED: RAIN TO FALL
Kamloops is yet again suffering from worse conditions with a AQHI rating of eight.
Weather forecasts suggest the rain will begin Saturday on the coast, with scattered showers in areas of the Cariboo and southern Interior through to Sunday, when weather is expected to remain at cooler temperatures.
Whether it will have any affect on fires remains to be seen.
Until then, back country areas remained off-limits to the public and off-roading bans also remain in effect.
Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated. Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help. If you open the windows you may let in more polluted air. If your home isn’t air-conditioned, consider going to a public place (library, shopping mall, recreation centre) that is air-conditioned.
For more information on current air quality, see: www.bcairquality.ca.
