People on bikes are silhouetted at sunset at Burnaby Mountain Park as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and the U.S. begins to settle over the region, in Burnaby, B.C., on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

Forecaster says smoke bad enough for health impacts in B.C.’s Okanagan, Fraser Canyon

Jul 24, 2026 | 11:46 AM

VANCOUVER — Southeastern British Columbia is covered in air-quality warnings as wildfires burning across the province belch out thick smoke.

Environment Canada has issued yellow and the more severe orange warnings from the U.S. border north to central B.C. and from near Pemberton east to the Alberta boundary.

The worst smoke with the orange rating is polluting the Central Okanagan, Fraser Canyon and Nicola regions and is expected to last until Sunday at least.

The warning says smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.

It tells people under both the yellow and orange warnings to take precautions by reducing outdoor activities and staying indoors in spaces with cleaner air.

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The forecaster says exposure to high smoke levels can pose a threat regardless of age or health status, although people with health conditions, those who are pregnant, young people and those over 65 are especially vulnerable.

“During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour,” the advisory from Environment Canada says.

Forecaster says smoke bad enough for health impacts in B.C.’s Okanagan, Fraser Canyon

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