A “smoky-skies” bulletin has been issued for the Cowichan Valley, and other areas, as of Sept. 8.
Smoke from wildfires in the United States has impacted air quality levels throughout much of southern B.C. including much of the Island, coastal mainland, the Okanagan, as well as the Kootenays and Boundary.
These areas are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24 to 48 hours.
The smoky-skies bulletin is a special type of public advisory to communicate the rapidly changing nature of wildfire smoke.
It is issued when areas of the province are being impacted or have reasonable potential to be impacted by wildfire smoke within 24 to 48 hours.
These bulletins are based on available pollutant concentrations information, satellite information, smoke forecast models and visual observations, and are not intended to manage local emission sources.
People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory in-fections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
During smoky conditions people should follow common sense.
• Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• If you have asthma or other chronic illness, carry any rescue (fast-acting) medications with you at all times and activate your personal care plan that has been designed with your family physician.
• Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves follow the same advice