Wildfires smoke from Harrison Lake, Washington producing smoke at higher elevations but not at ground-level so AQ should be good
Drifting smoke from two separate wildfires on Harrison Lake and in Washington State is not found at ground-level so the air quality is expected to remain good for the next two days, according to Metro Vancouver officials.
But things can change quickly.
Metro Vancouver issued an air quality warning Wednesday morning (July 30), of "medium" air quality expected for the Fraser Valley and Vancouver regions stating the air quality "is good and expected to remain good" despite some smoky skies visible.
The pair of wildfires affecting the region are producing smoke at higher elevations that are not "currently at ground-level."
"One fire is located in Olympic National Park in Washington State and the other, a wildfire of note, on the east side of Harrison Lake."
The Harrison fire known as the Bear Creek wildfire was declared a wildfire of note as it grew from 22 hectares to 65 hectares overnight Tuesday.
"Weather will remain sunny and hot today and tomorrow. Staff are closely watching conditions since fire behaviour can change quickly."
The way Metro Vancouver describes air quality has changed. They no longer use the term 'Air Quality Advisory', and changed it to 'Air Quality Warning', with the word advisory having been replaced by the word warning this year.
"Air quality updates are provided when there is the potential for degraded regional air quality in advance of or during an air quality warning."
The "medium" designation is when regional air quality "may be somewhat degraded or is expected to become degraded" with "considerable uncertainty if an air quality warning will be necessary."
Officials say an AQ warning is not expected Wednesday.
To see real-time air quality data and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), visit airmap.ca.
Roberts Creeker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 12:34 am
That's a lot of smoke! Is that the Bear Creek fire?
Yes it is the Bear Creek wildfire today Wednesday we did a day trip to Hope for some ice cream @ the DQ. Then ventured 15 min up the #3 to the Hope Slide it still gives me goose bumps after all these years. 4 victims only 1 was recovered all in the same vehicle from Penticton only the driver was recovered. Hope was smokey.
.pic #1 looking west from DQ in Hope mountains are barely visible. Pic #2 looking south in Hope.
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SouthSardiswx wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:24 pm Insane Tcook you beat the pond in south Sardis again. nice score anyone seeing this smoke we have in the central valley desert?
Appeared to be haze/smoke aloft here prior to the sun setting earlier.
AbbyJr wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:19 pm
While it's still in the clown range and a pure fantasy forecast, I see potential for a significant heatwave in the August 10th to 15th timeframe.
Yikes! Even with clouds around today we reached a high of 27.1c @ the pond in south Sardis.
wetcoast91 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 11:09 am
This high level haze/smoke will be with us through the end of summer. There's just too many smouldering blazes across the PNW/Western Canada.
Usual scenario of action developing in the Eastern Fraser Valley while Metro Vancouver gets ****ed.
Then ventured 15 min up the #3 to the Hope Slide it still gives me goose bumps after all these years. 4 victims only 1 was recovered all in the same vehicle from Penticton only the driver was recovered. Hope was smokey.
nice score anyone seeing this smoke we have in the central valley desert?
Even with clouds around today we reached a high of 27.1c @ the pond in south Sardis.