Hazy sky in Calgary as wildfire smoke moves in from B.C.
Posted Aug 20, 2020 12:08 pm.
Last Updated Aug 20, 2020 12:36 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – As blazes burn in British Columbia, smoke is making its way to Calgary, bringing a haze to the sky.
The biggest fire out west is the Christie Mountain fire, near Pentiction in the Okanagan.
However, the 400 hectare Doctor Creek fire, north of Kimberley in the East Kootenay could bring most of the smoke to Calgary.
WATCH: Hundreds of properties evacuated due to wildfire in Okanagan
A forecast on firesmoke.ca shows some of the smoke showing up Thursday with a big plume arriving the next morning. Meteorologist Russ Lacate with Breakfast Television in Vancouver anticipates conditions will improve among the fire-ravaged regions.
“The wind will be on the rise Friday morning, followed shortly by some rain. That’s right across the southern Okanagan.”
Although rain is in the forecast, Lacate added it might not improve conditions for the wildfires and help dissipate the smoke.
“The trouble is the sky will be much smokier today and then we’re a little more optimistic about that Friday pattern. A gusty southerly wind tomorrow morning, that’s not good, but rain is on the way.”
Unfortunately this first pulse of wet weather crossing the BC South Coast mountains only makes a glancing blow across parts of the interior: Spotty showers for the North Okanagan, but bypassing the #ChristieMountainWildfire. Rain eventually spreads to Penticton Friday. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/omBH4ywPIi
— Russ Lacate (@RLacate) August 20, 2020
B.C. has seen over 150 new fires in the past week but currently, no major blazes have been reported in Alberta.
According to the Alberta Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), Calgary is forecasted at a 4 for Thursday, which is just inside the moderate risk range.
That number could go higher if more smoke travels to Calgary.
If we do get a heavy coating of smoke, you’re encouraged to keep windows closed as much as possible and avoid going outside too often.
Since the smoke brings small particles with it, only a protective mask like an N-95 will help filter it.
