A shift in winds has pushed the smoke from fires in other parts of B.C., including the Cariboo and Kamloops areas into our region.

The smoky conditions will likely stick around our area for at least a couple of days, possibly longer, the Regional District of East Kootenay noted earlier this afternoon on its Facebook page.

In addition, the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, has issued a Smoky Skies Bulletin for the following areas: Kinbasket, North Columbia, West Columbia, East Columbia, Yoho Park – Kootenay Park, Elk Valley, East Kootenay, Arrow Lake – Slocan Lake, Kootenay Lake, West Kootenay, Boundary, Okanagan, Similkameen, Nicola, South Thompson, North Thompson, 100 Mile, Cariboo (North and South), and Chilcotin.

“Smoke is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility. Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change,” Environment Canada reported.

There are currently no wildfires of concern in the East Kootenay (there are a few small fires in the Southeast Fire District, but none threatening structures/communities or that are considered fires of note by the Southeast Fire Centre).

LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY – please be smart. Obey the fire bans and use common sense out there. And, if you see smoke, please report it. Our best chance of stopping a serious situation is if the B.C. Wildfire Service can get on any new starts quickly.

To report a fire from a cellphone, call *5555.

A great resource to see where the smoke is coming from is the Smoke Forecast website.

Lead image of smoke dispersion from Firesmoke.ca

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