North Okanagan air quality declined, wildfire smoke settled in the valley

The North Okanagan’s air quality worsened for a period Wednesday.

Air Quality Health Index readings by Environment Canada in Vernon and Armstrong listed the air quality at Level 4, or Moderate Risk, on the morning of July 15.

That rating was on the low end of the Moderate Risk scale, and by the afternoon the air quality had improved to Level 3, which was on the high end of the Low Risk scale.

The B.C. Wildfire Service’s smoke forecast showed smoke from the wildfires near Boston Bar blowing into and settling over the North Okanagan, causing the decline in the air quality.