There still aren't any wildfires burning near Whistler, but residents and guests to the resort are once again dealing with some smoky skies today.
It's hard to pinpoint the exact source of the smoke, as according to firesmoke.ca, the haze is likely coming from a variety of sources.
The closest major fire to Whistler is the Casper Creek wildfire near Anderson Lake, which is still burning out of control and now covering 4,650 hectares.
There's also the Downton Lake fire east of Gold Bridge, which is also burning out of control and covering 2,603 hectares.
Looking to the east, the largest fire is the Stein Mountain blaze, covering 490 hectares near Lytton.
As of 11 a.m., Whistler's Air Quality Health Index sat at 4, placing it in "moderate risk" territory.
Smoky skies can prove extra challenging for certain groups. According to Vancouver Coastal Health, reducing exposure to wildfire smoke is especially important for people with pre-existing chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and diabetes, as well as pregnant women, the elderly, children and infants.
As of mid August, 2023 is already B.C.'s worst-ever year for wildfires, with more than 1,700 wildfires burning about 16,000 square kilometres so far this year.
