Image: M. Vanden Bosch / PML / The view from downtown Chilliwack. Air quality has absolutely plummeted on a day when smoke from regional fires has exacerbated breathing conditions for Chilliwack residents.
Air quality

Air quality plummets as regional fires burn in Manning Park and elsewhere

Oct 18, 2022 | 10:40 AM

CHILLIWACK — The rain that’s forecast for later this week can’t come soon enough.

Regional wildfires near Manning Park and Skagit Park, Hope, Harrison Lake and Hope are creating terribly unhealthy conditions for Chilliwack residents, as not a single panoramic ridge or mountain peak can be seen above the Fraser Valley skies.

The B.C. Wildfire Service continues to respond to several lightning-caused fires in E.C. Manning Park and Skagit Park, including the Heather Creek wildfire, located on the southeast side of park adjacent to Highway 3.

Image: Supplied by B.C. Wildfire Service / B.C. Wildfire Service personnel are responding to the Heather Creek fire near Manning Park and Skagit Park.

Metro Vancouver Regional District has extended for the fourth day an Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter.

Stagnant weather conditions are forecast to persist for several days and it is expected that a change in weather forecast for Friday may be associated with significant improvements in air quality.

Environment Canada is predicting rain will begin this Friday and continue all weekend through Sunday with temperatures between 10 and 12 degrees.