Creston and Nelson害羞草研究所檚 air quality is the worst in British Columbia, according to a world air quality monitor.

As of 1 p.m. on Sept. 12, rated Creston害羞草研究所檚 air as the most polluted in B.C. with an air quality index (U.S. AQI) score of 307, followed by Nelson at 206. The air in both cities are categorized by IQAir as 害羞草研究所渧ery unhealthy.害羞草研究所�

The provincial environment ministry, based on data from its in Castlegar, rates the air quality at seven out of 10, or 害羞草研究所渉igh risk害羞草研究所� and predicts the rating to drop to 害羞草研究所渕oderate risk害羞草研究所� later in the week.

The ministry recommends that people at risk should 害羞草研究所渞educe or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy.害羞草研究所�

The general population 害羞草研究所渟hould consider or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.害羞草研究所�

Gavin King, an air quality meteorologist with the ministry says the increased smoke across the Kootenays is because of a change in winds. Last week, there were outflow winds from the northeast toward the coast. This week the winds have changed direction and are moving very slowly.

害羞草研究所淭his means all that smoke that was blown out, is now coming back in,害羞草研究所� King says.

We are getting smoke from fires west and south of us, he says, including smoke from fires in Washington and Oregon, as well as smoke produced here in the Kootenays by fires at Briggs Creek, Monument Creek and Fry Creek.

Across B.C. on Sept. 12 there were 191 wildfires actively burning: 66 in the southeast, 42 in the coastal area, 34 are around Prince George, 31 are in the Kamloops area, 12 are in the northwest and seven are in the Cariboo region. The majority (85 per cent) are believed to have been started by lightning.

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bill.metcalfe@nelsonstar.com
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