Metro Vancouver is discouraging outdoor physical activity – especially for the elderly, children and anyone with chronic medical conditions – given the “high risk” air quality currently in Richmond.
Smoke from wildfires in Washington and Oregon has drifted into B.C. and Metro Vancouver first issued an air quality advisory on Tuesday, which has since been continued.
Air quality in Metro Vancouver southwest – which includes Richmond and Delta – is rated 10, or high risk, on the province’s air quality health index. The highest possible risk rating is 10+.
Metro Vancouver northwest and southeast are both at nine, while Metro Vancouver northeast is also at 10.
Values above seven indicate a high health risk, and usually increase to that level because of high concentrations of smoke particles (PM2.5) in the community, according to the index.
In Richmond, PM2.5 levels are sitting around 100 micrograms per cubic metre Friday, according to Metro Vancouver’s air quality map.
When the air quality is deemed to be a high health risk on the air quality health index, people should reduce or reschedule outdoor physical activities, particularly if they have symptoms such as a cough or throat irritation.
Air quality in the region will be impacted through the weekend as “a large mass of smoke moves through,” according to Metro Vancouver’s advisory.
The regional body says smoke concentrations can vary widely across the region depending on changes in wind and temperature, as well as wildfire behaviour.
The current air quality can be viewed here.
