Metro Vancouver issues Air Quality Advisory; Surrey Fires Services issue fire and smoke advisory

METRO Vancouver on Sunday afternoon issued an Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter, due to smoke from wildfires outside our region.
Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions should postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Staying indoors and in air conditioned spaces helps to reduce fine particulate exposure. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have diabetes, and lung or heart disease.
This advisory is expected to continue until there is a change in the current weather.
Metro Vancouver works in cooperation with Environment Canada, the Fraser Valley Regional District and B.C. Ministry of Environment to look after air quality.
Information about real-time air quality readings for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley communities and potential health impacts can be found at

http://www.airmap.ca and www.bcairquality.ca.

 

SURREY Fire Service issued the following fire and smoke advisory:

“The Surrey Fire Service has experienced a large volume of calls related to smoke in Surrey as a result of the wild fires burning north of Pemberton and elsewhere in the province. We have also experienced a marked increase in grass fires, bark mulch fires and fires in boulevards and along roadways, as a result of the hot dry weather and the careless disposal of smoking material. As a result we have responded to 60 of these types of calls in the last 12-hour period compared to 1 call of this nature in the same time period one year ago.

‘If calling to report a fire, please ensure you can provide the location of the fire source or where the column of smoke originates. In light of the continuing weather pattern and the extremely dry conditions, we would like to remind the public to maintain their diligence in taking all precautions in the handling and disposal of cigarettes and smoking-related material.

“While enjoying the City’s parks, trail systems and open areas please be reminded that there is a complete ban on open flames for any purpose, including cooking, and that extreme caution should be used when in the vicinity of the grass and ground covers found in our parks and public spaces while using smoking material.”