VANCOUVER — Smoke from wildfires in Washington state has forced Metro Vancouver officials to issue an air quality advisory.
The advisory for the eastern part of the Fraser Valley states there may be some smoke influence from a fire near Harrison Lake, but its more likely that southeast winds are bringing in most of the fine particulate matter from Washington.
The advisory is aimed at people with chronic medical conditions, like asthma and heart or lung disease, and the elderly and infants, who are warned to restrict their activity until the advisory has been lifted.
Staying indoors with air conditioners helps to reduce some of the exposure.
At least two large fires are burning in Washington state within 100 kilometres of the border.
The fire burning about 20 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs is almost 14-square kilometres in size, but is now 60 per cent contained.