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The return of smoky skies to the Okanagan has resulted in yet another special air quality statement.
Wildfire crews conducted a burn-off on the southeast perimeter of the Snowy Mountain wildfire today, noting that the operation would be visible from the surrounding area.
BC Wildfire Services also posted to their Facebook page to remind readers that hazy skies are product of the large number of wildfires burning across the province.
“Smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres from its original source. Due to changing wind directions and the sheer number of fires, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where this smoke is coming from,” reads the Facebook post.
As previously explained by NowMedia meteorologists Wesla and Duane English, while the same fires burn day to day, weather patterns have a large effect on lingering smoke in the region.
According to them, because cool air is denser than warm air, when we have cooler air aloft the cooler air sinks down to the surface. That movement of cool air displaces the warmer air at the surface and helps to mix the air vertically, which then encourage smoke to move out of the valley.
“There are also cold fronts associated with upper lows, and these fronts create wind during their passage over our region. Strong enough winds can help the smoke dissipate,” they continue.
Today we see the opposite happening, the air aloft is hot, meaning there is no cooler air to sink to the surface that forces the smoky air up and out of the valley.
In terms of fire threats in the region, there is little relief in sight with temperatures are expected to peak at close to 40°C in the coming days.
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