This Map Shows How Much of BC Has Been Charred By Wildfires

Currently there are still almost 600 wildfires burning across the province of British Columbia, spread smoke across the continent, and causing local devastation. The current numbers predict that the fires have charred 6,000-square-kilometres of the province. To put that into perspective, that number is equal to the area outlined in this map:

From our sister station News 1130:

“Air quality across the province is still being impacted by the dense smoke coming from wildfires, however some cooler marine air has helped the situation slightly around the Lower Mainland.

An air quality advisory is still in effect due to elevated levels of fina particulate matter for both the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions. Environment Canada says this will be the case until there’s a change in fire behaviour or weather conditions.

“Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes,” the government’s website reads.

The advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has also been expanded to include ground-level ozone.

It’s recommended to avoid any strenuous outdoor activity, especially in the mid-afternoon to early evening hours when “ozone levels are highest.”