(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
August 06, 2014 - 11:40 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Kamloops and Vernon residents woke up to the sight, smell and taste of smoke on Wednesday morning.
Fire information officer Kayla Pepper says the smoke is coming from wildfires in the northern part of the United States and from the Prince George and Cariboo fire centres.
Pepper says the smoke is currently trapped in the valley, but it should clear by the afternoon.
“With the heat of the day, it should start dissipating,” says Pepper.
Environment Canada has issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Cariboo region including Quesnel, Burns Lake, Fort St. John and surrounding areas. The advisory extends to the Thompson-Okanagan from Kamloops to Osoyoos.
There are currently 222 active wildfires in B.C.
People with underlying medical conditions are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity. Talk to your health care provider if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort – particularly if you are elderly or have a lung condition such as asthma.
Check smoke forecasts regularly.
To read more information on air quality, visit www.bcairquality.ca.
A B.C. Wildfire helicopter flies above Armstrong, B.C.
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014