Vernon Air Quality Improves

UPDATE:

The new snow seems to have helped improve the local air quality.

BC’s Environment Ministry has lifted a two day old air quality advisory for Vernon.

The agency says fine particulate concentrations have been decreasing and are below advisory levels.

“Sources of fine particulates that may have contributed to the past air quality episode include wood smoke (wood stoves and/or open burning), emissions from industry as well as transportation (such as automobiles, trucks and rail traffic),” says meteorologist Tarek Ayeache. “Any reduction in emissions from those sources will contribute to cleaner air in Vernon.”

An advisory covering Lavington was lifted Wednesday.

Nov 7:

Vernon is under an Air Quality Advisory due to the cold dry weather.

Meteorologist Tarek Ayache with the BC Environment Ministry says a high pressure system with little wind has left poor venting conditions.

“So that means any pollution, any smoke, any emissions on the surface tends to accumulate and build up and doesn’t disperse or move as much as normal,” says Ayache.

He says this will likely last until at least Wednesday afternoon.

“The fine particulates, which come from any combustion sources, under these conditions they tend to build up and accumulate, and exceed the provincial air quality objectives.”

The advisory for Lavington Monday remains in effect.

The minstry says sources of fine particulates contributing to this air quality episode include wood smoke (wood stoves and/or open burning), emissions from industry as well as transportation (such as automobiles, trucks and rail traffic).