Expect the smoke hanging over parts of Vancouver Island and the south coast to stick around into Monday.
Friday dawned hazy and smoky in the capital region, thanks to another round of outflow winds carrying wildfire smoke from the Interior, said Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau.
She said that the air-quality health index in the Victoria area was at a three, with 10 being the worst, through the first part of Friday.
The index rose to four Friday night and is forecast to remain at four on Saturday, which is considered to be in the moderate range, she said.
Charbonneau said that weekend temperatures for the region are expected to be 26 C on Saturday and 27 C on Sunday, followed by a drop to 20 on Monday and a chance of showers extending into Tuesday.
Wind patterns will also change on Monday.
“Hopefully when we see that wind shift we will also see the smoke will clear out,” she said. “If you’re getting showers that helps, as well.”
A smoky-skies bulletin for Greater Victoria sent out Friday by the Ministry of Environment noted that smoky conditions can change quickly over short distances, and can vary by the hour.
Pregnant women and people with respiratory infections, as well as infants and older adults, are more likely than others to have health effects from smoke, the bulletin said.
Be aware of symptoms like sore throats and breathing issues even when indoors, it said, and if you have a forced-air heating or cooling system, consider changing the filter and setting the fan to run continuously.
The wildfire situation on Vancouver Island is holding steady with 15 fires, including some like the Cameron Bluffs fire that have been considered under control for weeks.
A small fire near Jordan River has been declared out.
“One fire that we’re getting some calls about is the Mount Con Reid fire in Strathcona Park,” said Coastal Fire Centre information officer Jennifer Lohmeyer. “We are monitoring it together with our partners at B.C. Parks, and it’s been decided not suppress it at this time.”
The fire, which is now 1,420 hectares, is quite visible because if its elevation. The fire’s elevation and steep terrain and the fact that is not threatening human life are factors in deciding to let it burn.
Lohmeyer said that with hot and dry conditions anticipated over the weekend “we’re asking the public to be careful when they’re enjoying the outdoors.”
