Air advisory issued for Vancouver, Fraser Valley

Authorities have issued an air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District due to smoke drifting southwestward from forest fires in the interior of the province.

The air quality health index hit six out of ten on the scale, with ten being the worst conditions.

"Due to the current spell of hot, sunny weather, ozone levels are also expected to be elevated [Monday] afternoon in the region. Poor air quality conditions are expected to persist for the next 24 hours," according to a statement released by Metro Vancouver.

"Elevated levels of fine particulate matter have been detected at air quality monitoring stations in the region, particularly in coastal parts of the Lower Fraser Valley (Tsawwassen, Richmond – Vancouver Airport and Vancouver – Kitsilano)," said the statement.

Conditions are worse in Duncan on Vancouver Island and Williams Lake in the Central Interior, where the air quality health index is now rated seven, or higher. The rating for most of the rest of the province is moderate, between four and six.

People who are sensitive to changes in air pollution are advised to avoid strenuous exercise and seek locations with filtered air such as shopping malls.