With smoke from nearby wildfires continuing to impact air quality in Pemberton, residents can now pick up free N95 respirator masks at the Pemberton & District Community Centre, thanks to support from the Canadian Red Cross.
The Village of Pemberton reiterated that while there is no immediate wildfire threat to the community, the smoke poses health risks—particularly for seniors, children and those with pre-existing conditions.
The move comes as wildfires burning north and northwest of Pemberton continue to grow, contributing to the haze over the valley.
The Bastion Peak wildfire on the western shore of Lillooet Lake remains out of control at 20 hectares (though the latest update was Sept. 2 at about 10 a.m.—no word yet on its size as of Wednesday morning). One of the earliest-discovered wildfires in the area, located north of Rutherford Creek Cabin, is still burning out of control at 5 hectares. And a 0.5-hectare fire, burning just north of Highway 99 near Rutherford Creek, is also listed as out of control.
N95 masks are recommended because they provide stronger protection against fine smoke particles than cloth or surgical masks. The masks are available during regular community centre hours (Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 7390 Cottonwood Street.
The Village also posted a list of recommendations for staying safe during the current smoky conditions:
- Stay indoors and keep the air clean by closing windows and doors, avoiding the use of fireplaces, candles and incense, and not vacuuming.
- Keep windows and set air conditioning to recirculate while driving
- Limit outdoor time and strenuous exercise
- Spending time in spaces with filtered air, like stores and the PDCC
Local air quality for Pemberton is posted in real-time, here. Active fires are reported on the BC Wildfire Service website, here.
