There is still smoke in the air across the Fraser Valley but conditions are steadily continuing to improve.
It’s day 10 of the fine particulate matter advisory, and the first time in many days that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is forecast to reach an AQHI value of ‘8’ for high health risk, down from ’10+’ which was ‘very high health risk.’
The PM advisory has been in effect since September 8 for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District, “due to wildfire smoke from outside the region,” according to the Sept. 17 special air quality statement from Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
“Air quality has continued to improve since yesterday but ground-level smoke still remains and is expected to remain through the week,” reads the statement. “A weather system forecast for Friday is expected to bring further improvements this weekend.”
As usual, smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region with wind and temperature changes, and as the Washington and Oregon wildfire behaviour changes.
In the City of New Westminster, a timber wharf at Westminster Pier Park continues to burn, producing considerable local smoke.
See current readings on the latest Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) here.
READ MORE: Slightly better air on Wednesday
READ MORE: Whole region hoping for relief
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