While not predicting a return to the dense layer of smoke that darkened July and August skies for days on end, weather officials are uncertain as to when local skies will clear entirely.
“Our overall message is that there are so many fires, so much smoke being emitted and from so many directions that we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Armel Castellan, an Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist.
The air-quality health index, which ranks the health risk associated with air pollution, now rates the air across Vancouver Island as a low to moderate risk. The exception was along the Island’s west coast, which was still under a smoky skies bulletin Tuesday.
However, Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands could see more lingering smoke by Friday and Saturday, Castellan said.
Sixty-four fires covering thousands of hectares are burning on Vancouver Island, said Lynne Wheeler, fire information officer.
There are three fires of note: the 168-hectare Gold Valley Main fire near Zeballos, which started Aug. 11 and has been difficult to fight because of extremely steep terrain and rolling debris; the 260-hectare Pinder Creek fire on steep ground on the Zeballos Forest Service Road and the 20-hectare Larry Lake Fire, adjacent to Highway 30, the main road into Port Alice. That fire is 80 per cent contained.
As of Monday there were 218 firefighters, 23 helicopters and 39 support staff battling the blazes.
Wheeler said it’s unprecedented to have this many fires burning in the north Island at this time of year. All but one were caused by lightning.
