By James Peters

Smoky haze settles over Kamloops, expected to clear soon

Nov 16, 2017 | 2:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — The air quality in the Kamloops valleys has degraded once again.

BC Ministry of Environment Air Quality Meteorologist Ralph Adams says particulate concentrations shot up in downtown Kamloops to about 23 micrograms-per-cubic-metre as of 3:00 this afternoon.

Adams says an advisory would only be issued if the 24-hour average was 25 micrograms-per-cubic-metre, and that reading remains far below the threshold.

Readings in Aberdeen were considered pristine, with only background concentrations found.

Adams adds the smoke is likely drifting in from slash burning outside of city limits.

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“There has been a large amount of open burning going on in the region. When we get these kind of weather conditions and this kind of behaviour in the concentrations, then it usually means that the smoke is being brought into the valley rather than us pouring smoke in under an inversion or something,” said Adams.

Adams notes many landowners are getting rid of waste wood now, before more snow falls.

He says conditions should return to normal soon.

“We are still far below advisory conditions, even at the downtown station. The forecast is for the weather over the night and through the morning… probably the smoke will dissipate and we will be back to normal conditions by tomorrow afternoon,” said Adams.

“There have been days of good venting. But this time of year, as the weather systems go through, the venting will improve. Then, as the wind speeds drop and the cool, calm conditions return, then the venting deteriorates again.”