Wildfires raging across B.C. force air advisory for Metro Vancouver area

VANCOUVER – Wildfire smoke blowing in from outside Metro Vancouver has prompted an air quality advisory for the region and Fraser Valley area.

Metro Vancouver officials are urging anyone with a chronic medical condition to avoid strenuous exercise because of high concentrations of fine particles hanging in the atmosphere.

Authorities are encouraging people to stay in air-conditioned spaces and to take care of infants, seniors and those with diabetes, lung or heart disease.

The advisory is likely to only remain until Wednesday, when showers are expected throughout the region.

An unusually hot summer has sparked hundreds of wildfires since April 1 and the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch has said this year has been one of the busiest fire seasons in recent history.

The largest blaze is about 900 square kilometres by Chelaslie River, which is uncontained near the boundary of the Northwest and Cariboo fire centres, while 113 potentially threatening wildfires are burning provincewide.