Wildfire smoke is expected to blanket Greater Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island once again.
The haze that choked out the region earlier in September is expected to return Thursday afternoon with smoke from the California wildfires drifting north. But conditions are expected to be less severe than earlier in the month.
A sunny stretch for much of BC but check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) forecasts: https://t.co/xJI8p4TFLG as smoke from California wildfires is moving north. Haze and moderate AQHI levels are expected. This event won't be as long or extreme as earlier this month. #bcstorm pic.twitter.com/LXuemXtolQ
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) September 29, 2020
As of 6 a.m. Sept. 30, Canada’s Air Quality Health Index was listed as one (low risk) for Greater Victoria. It is prepredicted to increase to three later in the day, reaching four (moderate risk) overnight and on Thursday. The index ranges from one (low risk) to 10-plus (very high risk).
Earlier in the month, Greater Victoria’s index was listed at 10-plus for several days when smoke from the U.S. fires blanketed the region.
Smoke is also expected to affect air quality in other regions on Vancouver Island. Duncan and Nanaimo’s Air Quality Health Index is expected to increase to three later today, reaching four (moderate risk) on Thursday.
ALSO READ: Smoke from distant fires in U.S. pose ‘very high risk’ for air quality in B.C.
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