Hazy skies in Vernon as of 5 p.m. Friday (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

UPDATE: Wildfire smoke leads to air quality advisory for Okanagan

Sep 4, 2022 | 8:20 AM

UPDATE: 8:20 a.m. Sept. 4, 2022

A special air quality advisory remains in effect for the Okanagan as smoke drifts in from fires in other areas of B.C. and the U.S.

Environment Canada is forecasting “widespread smoke” for the Okanagan today, and says many regions of B.C. will continue to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.

“Wildfire smoke impacts are present or expected to occur across much of the interior and north-east. Impacts are due to long-range transport from fires in Washington and Oregon as well as smoke from local wildfires. Smoke may clear in some areas this afternoon as an upper level low moves through the southern interior however conditions are expected to persist in most areas through the overnight period,” the weather agency advised.

As of 8:30 a.m. Sunday, there are 41 active wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre, with no new fires in either the Vernon or Kelowna areas.

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UPDATE: 2:00 p.m. Sept. 3

Air quality and smoky skies advisories have been issued for the North, Central and South Okanagan.

Environment Canada said many regions of B.C. are being impacted, or are likely to be impacted, by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.

“Wildfire smoke impacts are present or expected to occur across much of the interior and north-east. Impacts are due to long-range transport from fires in Washington and Oregon as well as smoke from local wildfires. Smoke may clear in some areas this afternoon as an upper level low moves through the southern interior however conditions are expected to persist in most areas through the overnight period,” the weather agency stated.

Environment Canada will issue another update on Sunday when the forecast is for “widespread smoke” in the Okanagan.

The B.C. Wildfire Service reported 40 active wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre as of 5:00 p.m. Saturday, with no new fires in the North or Central Okanagan.

A fire west of Lumby near Spider Creek is under control, as is a fire south of Peachland at Good Knoll.

The Blue Mountain fire west of Penticton is classified as out of control, 49 hectares in size, with a suspected human cause.

For more information on current air quality, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air.

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Increased smoke in parts of Okanagan
Sep 2, 2022 | 5:15 PM

More smoke has filtered into the Okanagan as the day has gone on.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says it’s coming from wildfires in the Kamloops and Southeast fire centres, and from fires in Idaho and Washington state.

Three large fires are currently burning in Washington state, between Seattle and Spokane, and the smoke is expected to continue for the next few days.

Environment Canada is forecasting “widespread smoke” in the Okanagan on Sunday.

The service lists just one current fire in the North Okanagan, west of Lumby near Spider Creek which is spot sized and was first reported Sept. 1.

The only fire listed in the Central Okanagan is near Good Knoll in Okanagan Mountain Park at one hectare which is being held.