Smoke Blows In From Interior, US Fires

The wildfire smoke has returned to the North Okanagan.

It stared blowing into the area this morning, and is now quite thick.

Max Birkner from the BC Wildfire Service says its coming from a variety of sources, including the Elephant Hill Fire north of Cache Creek, and some in Washington state.

“There is the very notable Elephant Hill Fire near Cache Creek, but in your area, you may also be getting smoke from fires in the US. There are some major fires down in the United States and they are producing a lot of smoke in your region,” says Birkner.

Birkner says there are no new fires in the Vernon Forest Zone.

BC’s Ministry of Environment says people should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

“If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease.”