Heat warnings expand across B.C. as wildfire smoke sparks air quality concerns

SQUAMISH — Heat and air quality warnings now cover the lower two-thirds of British Columbia, as Environment Canada warns of a ridge of high pressure that is moving inland.

The weather agency has posted heat warnings for central and eastern Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and inland sections of the north and central coast that are expected to last to Wednesday, while warnings for the Interior could persist until Thursday.

Temperatures in coastal areas are expected to crest 30 C, while the southern Interior and Fraser Valley can expect temperatures into the mid-30s, although the temperature surpassed 40 C in Lytton on Tuesday.

The weather office has also issued air quality advisories for the next 24 to 48 hours that cover much of central and southern B.C., caused by wildfire smoke as about 80 blazes burn across the province.