As two out-of-control wildfires burn up in the Fraser Canyon, Metro Vancouver\u2019s air quality could get a lot worse.<\/p>\n
This morning, Metro Vancouver Regional District released an air quality update, saying that \u201can air quality warning is possible, if conditions worsen.\u201d<\/p>\n
They said that eastern parts of the Fraser Valley are being impacted by smoke from the wildfires close to Boston Bar and Hope, and that parts of Metro Vancouver are \u201cexperiencing hazy conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine particulate matter (air pollution particle) measurements are slightly higher than usual across the region, especially in the eastern parts, but remain below air quality warning thresholds,\u201d reads the air quality update.<\/p>\n
However, they added that with winds forecast to shift direction later today, it could push the smoke away from the region and improve air quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWildfire and smoke behaviour can change quickly, and Metro Vancouver staff are keeping an eye on conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to IQAir, a platform that provides real-time air quality data, Vancouver\u2019s air quality is the 105th worst in the world at the time of publication.<\/p>\n
Out-of-control wildfires<\/p>\n
On Thursday morning, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) issued an evacuation order for the area of Boston Bar, a community about a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Vancouver.<\/p>\n
The FVRD said that they issued the order<\/a> \u201cdue to increased wildfire behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n The two fires of note are the Brunswick Creek fire, which is 3,578 hectares, and the Ainslie Creek fire, which is 16,197 hectares.<\/p>\n In an email, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) told Daily Hive that conditions have been \u201con a heating and drying trend this week. They added that they are expecting a weather event today that will \u201cbring instability with strong erratic winds and likely dry lightning,\u201d with a chance of small amount (one to five millimetres) of rain.<\/p>\n The BCWS said that they expect \u201celevated and potentially erratic fire behaviour\u201d to continue today, but that the \u201ccurrent unstable systems should pass\u201d in 24 to 48 hours.<\/p>\n The effects of wildfire smoke<\/p>\n Wildfire smoke can cause health impacts, especially to people with lung, heart, or other chronic conditions, as well as those who are pregnant, infants, older adults, and outdoor workers.<\/p>\n