Keeping an eye on Chilliwack air quality as temperatures rise
There is no evidence the Fraser Valley air shed is still being directly impacted by drifting smoke from Siberian wildfires, according to air quality watchers with the Fraser Valley Regional District.
That may not be the case for other parts of the province, however.
Sunday saw quite elevated ozone levels in Chilliwack, and smoke from those Russian fires were likely more of an influence then.
But with the higher temperatures coming this weekend, they'll be keeping an eye on how the air is being affected.
Wednesday morning saw "very poor" visual AQ values, but they were expected to improve throughout the day. The PM 2.5 levels had dramatically improved, but then were on the rise again.
The air quality index (AQI) for the region is online at http://www.bcairquality.ca/readings/eastern-fraser-valley.xml.
Readings for Chilliwack have been in the "low" to "moderate" categories, usually at an AQI of 2 or 3, but it went as high as 5 on July 8.
So far there have been no air quality advisories issues, as the shifting values have represented "low health risk."
The air is monitored at four stations in the Eastern Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope. Two more stations are coming online in Mission and District of Kent.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
twitter.com/CHWKjourno
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