An air quality advisory remains in effect for Whistler and surrounding areas on Sunday, Aug. 20 due to heavy wildfire smoke.
Even without any wildfires burning in the immediate vicinty, smoke is posing its own set of hazards to the resort. According to Environment Canada, Whistler's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) rating sat at 10+, or very high risk, as of Sunday afternoon. At-risk populations—including children, and anyone who is pregnant, elderly, dealing with illness or chronic health conditions or who works outside—are encouraged to avoid any strenuous outdoor activity until air quality improves. The general population should also try to reduce or reschedule any strenuous activities outdoors, especially if symptoms like coughing and throat irritation arise.
As breathing rate increases with physical exertion, so does the amount of smoke inhaled. The mixture of gases and tiny particles that comprise forest fire smoke can irritate the respiratory system, causing inflammation.
"Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations," the national weather agency explained in Sunday's bulletin. "Everyone can take action to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke."
Forecasters expect winds across B.C. will shift several times within the next 24 hours, meaning smoke conditions could change rapidly. The BC Wildfire Service's smoke forecast predicts clearer skies for Whistler as of Tuesday morning, Aug. 22, though smoke severity will likely vary over the next day.
In the meantime, the BC Wildfire Service recommends people with chronic conditions keep rescue medication on hand at all times, and make a plan to follow if that medication fails to ease symptoms. Officials also recommend seeking out indoor environments, like libraries and community centres, that might be less smoky, and staying hydrated.
Province implements state of emergency, travel ban for B.C.
As of Sunday, there are 382 active wildfires currently burning across British Columbia.
The province declared a state of emergency on Friday, Aug. 18, in response to unprecedented wildfire response efforts, particularly in the Okanagan.
On Saturday, the B.C. government imposed a travel ban restricting non-essential visits to the central Interior and southeast B.C. for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodations like hotels, motels or campgrounds, after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more. The ban will remain in effect until the end of the day on Sept. 4, in an effort to free up accommodations for evacuees and personnel providing emergency and critical services. The order doesn't restrict travel through to other regions, but the public is encouraged to avoid non-essential trips through wildfire zones to help keep roadways clear for emergency response operations.
Closer to home, Arts Whistler opted to cancel its Hear & Now: In the Park live and local music performance that was set to feature The Cold Smoke on Sunday, due to the high-risk air quality's effect on performers. Sunday's Slow Food Cycle in Pemberton was also cancelled, as evacuation orders remain in place for the Upper Bridge River Valley, in Squamish Lillooet Regional District's Electoral Area A, due to threats posed by the Downton Lake fire burning out of control about 10 kilometres west of Gold Bridge. The blaze has roughly tripled in size in recent days, from 2,603 hectares on Thursday to 6,884 hectares, or 68.8 square kilometres, as of Sunday afternoon. At least three homes have so far been lost to the blaze, which is suspected to have been sparked by lightning on July 13.
The nearby Casper Creek wildfire, burning about 24 kilometres west of Lillooet above Seton and Carpenter Lakes, grew from 4,650 hectares on Wednesday to an estimated 9,112 hectares, or more than 91 square kilometres, by Sunday, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
With helicopter operators tied up with wildfire suppression efforts, Pemberton Search and Rescue (SAR) also warned the community that helicopter availability may impact SAR's ability to respond to emergencies for the time being. "We ask you to consider this in your decision making," Pemberton SAR explained in a Facebook post. "Please consider another time to enjoy the backcountry."
Whistler's fire danger rating is listed as "extreme." Report all fires in Whistler immediately by dialing 9-1-1. Report fires outside of Whistler to the BC Wildfire Service at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555.
