Image: Erik Devisser via Twitter / Highway 1 looking eastbound towards Mount Cheam is pictured in this Twitter image shared by Chilliwack resident Erik Devisser on Saturday, August 19 at 1 p.m. Although air quality has plummeted in Chilliwack, Chilliwack Fire Chief Ian Josephson is asking the public not to call 911 to report generally smoking conditions unless they observe a fire or a column of smoke.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Air quality plummets in Chilliwack

Chilliwack Fire asks people not to call 911 to report generally smoky conditions

Aug 19, 2023 | 3:06 PM

CHILLIWACK — As bad as the air quality is and has been since early Saturday morning in the eastern Fraser Valley, Chilliwack Fire Chief Ian Josephson is asking residents not to call 911 if they see generally smoky conditions.

In an email Saturday to Fraser Valley Today, Josephson said his department is well aware of the smoky conditions that have arrived over the weekend.

“It’s definitely smoky today,” Chief Josephson said. “We do not want people calling 911 just to report generally smoky conditions. Certainly call 911 if they observe a fire or a column of smoke and we will respond to investigate.”

One person in the 9400 block of Nowell Street in Chilliwack did the exact opposite Saturday morning, phoning 911 to report a strong smell of smoke. Chilliwack firefighters reportedly responded and cleared the scene shortly thereafter.

Although air quality has deteriorated between Friday and Saturday, Sunday’s Flight Fest in Chilliwack is still a go as of press time Saturday afternoon. The Chilliwack Fire Department has no authority on its own to cancel Chilliwack Flight Fest, Chief Josephson confirmed.

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