The weather will be cooling off in Quesnel this weekend – at least a little.
An Environment Canada forecast predicts that the heat, which is forecast to hit a high of 34 degrees Celsius on Thursday, will drop to 28 degrees on Friday with an evening rain shower and then down to a high of 20 degrees with a chance of showers on Saturday. Sunday will have a high of 25 degrees with a chance of showers during the day, and both Monday and Tuesday are predicted to be similar in temperature.
The Cariboo has been covered in a thick cloud of smoke over the last two days, starting when people woke to ash on their cars on Tuesday morning. Environment Canada also issued an air advisory warning for the region, with the air quality rating for Quesnel and Williams Lake both listed at 10+, or very high risk.
READ MORE: Air quality advisory in effect for Williams Lake and Quesnel areas
On Wednesday, the air quality rating dropped to a rating of seven (high risk) before creeping back up to a very high risk 10+. Environment Canada predicts it will also be smokey outside on Friday as well, with the quality rating listed as a seven, or high risk.
The smoke comes from a series of fires in and around Tweedsmuir Park, where a 2,300 hectare fire burns near Ramsay Creek, a 1,157 hectare fire burns near Dean River, a 50 hectare fire burns near the Tanya Lakes, and a 0.1 hectare fire burns near Sigutlat Lake.
In a special air quality statement for Quesnel and Williams Lake, Environment Canada says that people with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, children, infants and anyone sensitive to the smoke are more likely to experience health effects.
Anyone with breathing difficulties is encouraged to remain inside, in a cool and ventilated place. Leaving windows open may also allow in polluted air. For anyone whose home is not air conditioned, Environment Canada recommends they find a public place where they can go that is air conditioned, i.e. a recreation centre or library.
You can keep up to date on the air quality in your area here.
heather.norman@quesnelobserver.com
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