Weather conditions are forcing smoke from wildfires in the interior of British Columbia to the coast, producing smoky skies on northern Vancouver Island and the mainland’s central coast. Outflow winds are moving high level drift smoke from large interior wildfires down the Pemberton and Bella Coola Valleys and into coastal inlets and rivers. Heavy smoke yesterday was reported to the Wildfire Management Branch wildfire reporting centre by concerned members of the public.

These conditions will continue today, and while the smoke may dissipate overnight it is expected the smoke could reform tomorrow. These conditions may persist for several days. People who are concerned with their health due to air quality should contact their local health authority.

The Coastal Fire Centre relies on the public to report forest fires, and we encourage any who see an organized column of smoke to report it to 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on cell phones.

Smoke forecasts are available from the Ministry of Environment’s website at www.BCAirQuality.ca.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range north of the U.S.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts:

Donna MacPherson
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Coastal Fire Centre
250 951-4209
FORHPRP.INFOCO@gov.bc.ca