Vancouver choked by wildfire smoke as heat and lightning spark new fire risks

Much of Metro Vancouver has been shrouded in "high-risk" wildfire smoke from blazes in southern British Columbia, with the air quality rated nine on the 10-level health index used by Environment Canada. The smoke has enveloped areas north of the Fraser River, including Vancouver, Burnaby, the North Shore, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, as well as the eastern Fraser Valley.

Everyone should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities; people at risk should do so immediately, according to the air-quality guidance.

The Bradley Creek wildfire, which swept through the Okanagan Indian Band reserve near Okanagan Lake on Saturday, has destroyed about 230 homes — roughly 30 belonging to band members and 200 to non-band residents. The fire has razed lakefront properties to their foundations and remains out of control, triggering evacuation orders and alerts across the region.

Conditions are expected to worsen. Temperatures are forecast to increase to the mid-30s with dry lightning expected Thursday, which could lead to fire starts across the southern Interior where most of British Columbia's estimated 115 wildfires are burning. The BC Wildfire Service has helicopters and fixed-wing planes ready to tackle new starts in what looks to be another challenging week for fire crews.

There are currently five wildfires of note in the province, all burning near communities in the southern Interior including Boston Bar, Clinton, Vernon and Kimberley. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene said Tuesday that about 8,000 people had been forced from their homes across B.C. due to wildfires.

Ottawa experienced similar air-quality spikes in mid-July when Quebec wildfires pushed smoke northward.