August's Smoky Sunsets

Air quality shows some improvement, fire situation remains critical

Smoky skies over Átl'ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Photo: kc dyer.

Smoky skies continue in the Lower Mainland and the Sea to Sky, with vivid sunsets balanced with poor air quality. British Columbia remains in a state of emergency because of the fires still raging across the province.

However, according to FireSmoke.ca, given forecasted wind patterns, there is a possibility that some of the smoke could blow out of the coastal region by mid-week.

The air quality index, which had risen to as high as five is back down to three in Lions Bay, with no rainfall anticipated over the next week.

BC Wildfire Service reports the situation continues to be critical across the province, with 127 fires burning, 44 of which are rated as out of control.

In the Coastal Fire Centre, 34 wildfires are currently burning in the region, up from the 27 reported at the end of last week. A dozen of those blazes remain out of control.

Current evacuation alerts and orders can be found at EmergencyInfoBC.ca.

The Watershed values your opinion.

Share your thoughts below, or email editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca

Like what you're reading?

For as little as $5/month, you can support local independent journalism

by subscribing to The Watershed HERE.