The Colockum Tarps Fire near Wenatchee, Washington is likely to blame for the smoke in the Okanagan Sunday.
Image Credit: wildfiretoday.com
August 11, 2013 - 11:23 AM
The smoke that you can smell in the Okanagan today is not from forest fires burning in the area.
It is smoke blowing in on the southerly winds, likely from some of the huge wildfires burning in the Northwest US. There are forest fires burning in Washington State, Oregon and Idaho. In Washinton State, there is a fire burning just across the border from Osoyoos and large fire near Wenatchee.
“A southerly wind is pushing some smoke into the area,” fire information officer Melissa Welsh says.
“There’s no particular fire in the Okanagan area that is contributing to the smoke. I think it would have to be fires that are larger and most likely burning in the States.”
The smoke should dissipate as the day wears on according to Environment Canada forecaster Elizabeth Robilliard.
Thunderstorms are moving up from the Pacific Northwest. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the Okanagan.
“You should see the winds pick up with that and with the thundershowers there should be some good mixing and that should help disperse the smoke in the area,” says Robilliard.
Meanwhile, B.C. Wildfire crews are busy today, dealing with 36 new wildfires thanks to the thunderstorms that moved through the Kamloops Fire Centre Saturday and overnight.
Welsh says they are all spot fires and crews are working to put them out.
With the thunderstorms in the forecast today, there doesn’t appear to be any end in sight to the lightning caused forest fires.
To contact the reporter for this story, email halexander@infotelnews.ca or call 250-491-0331.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013