PHOTOS: Wildfire smoke hits western Canada
Digital Reporter
Monday, August 24, 2015, 4:02 PM -
Air quality advisories are in effect for parts of British Columbia and special weather statements have been issued in southern and central Alberta due to intense smoke generated by wildfires in B.C. and the U.S.
"Since Saturday night, southerly winds have been widely spreading heavy plumes of smoke northwards from the large wildfires burning in Washington state, resulting in high concentrations of fine particulates and poor air quality," Environment Canada says in a statement.
WILDFIRE SMOKE DARKENS WESTERN SKIES: Get the latest updates here
"While this episode is expected to persist until a major shift in wind patterns and weather conditions, smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change."
Social media has been flooded with images of the intense smoke, which can be seen from NASA Earth Observatory satellites.
Approximately Around 1,750 fires have burned in B.C. this season, destroying almost 300,000 hectares.
