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UPDATED: Smoky skies bulletin issued

UPDATED: The smoky skies bulletins issued last week have been amended as of Monday morning.
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UPDATED: The smoky skies bulletins issued last week have been amended as of Monday morning.

The area covered by the bulletins has been reduced to: North Thompson, 100 Mile, Cariboo (South and North) and Chilcotin regions.

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Residents are being warned of smoke from wildfires.

Late Sunday afternoon, the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, issued a smoky skies bulletin for the following areas: the Okanagan, Shuswap, Similkameen, Columbia and Yoho Park-Kootenay Park.

Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of a cough or irritation of airways. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease.

This bulletin will remain in effect until further notice.

Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.

Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated. Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help. If you open the windows you may let in more polluted air. If your home isn’t air-conditioned, consider going to a public place (library, shopping mall, recreation centre) that is air-conditioned.

For more information on current air quality, see www.bcairquality.ca.