Smoke hovering in the North Okanagan, early Thursday. (Image Credit: Liam Verster)
Poor air quality
Wildfire smoke blankets region
Jul 23, 2026 | 10:25 AM
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It may be a stay-inside kind of summer day in the Okanagan — but not because of the heat.
Thick wildfire smoke has settled over the valley, with a special air quality advisory in effect across much of B.C., including the Central Okanagan. Environment Canada says conditions in Kelowna are currently rated moderate, but the haze is visible throughout the region.
The smoke is drifting in from wildfires burning in other parts of the province. There are no major fires of note currently burning in the Okanagan, but fire activity continues elsewhere in B.C., with several evacuation orders and alerts in place.
A screengrab from firesmoke.ca shows the intense wildfire smoke over the Okanagan as of 6 a.m. Thursday. The smoke was forecast to ease through the day before returning in the evening. (Image Credit: firesmoke.ca)
