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Look across the lake and you can barely make out the other side. It's been quite a while since the Okanagan Valley was this smoky, but people are getting outside despite the poor air quality.
The air is bad enough for Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement.
People considered at risk are urged to avoid strenuous activities outdoors.
Children and the elderly are also asked to avoid outdoor physical exertion.
Even the general public is encouraged to reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
Still, many people were out making the best of things despite the haze hanging over Kelowna today.
"It feels heavy to breathe," said one senior who rode his bike downtown today. "Oh yeah, I'm feeling it and smelling it, for sure," said another. But most people aren't letting it get in the way.
"We're from Toronto, so it's not bad at all," laughed one visitor out biking. "It's not bad at all." The fact is, it is bad.
The Air Quality Health Index Rating is a 7, which is in the moderate to high-risk range. But it didn't stop people from coming down to the waterfront.
"It's better near the water," said one retiree, looking out at the lake with her husband. "I can smell it though, I can smell the smoke," she said.
"We're doing the best we can," said another senior, out walking with her daughter. "So far, I'm okay."
The smoke is not expected to clear quickly because it's trapped by inversion conditions, but Environment Canada expects the air quality to improve from a 7 to a 4 on the scale over the next few days, which means the risk is lowered to moderate levels.
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