Wildfire smoke choking Prince George but relief coming soon

Smoke from wildfires in northeastern B.C. and Alberta filled the air above Prince George early Wednesday and that haze, combined with cloudy conditions, made for a gloomy start to the day for morning commuters.

The smell of smoke is still prevalent but the good news is it will dissipate as the day goes on.

The website FireSmoke.ca that tracks the spread of wildfire smoke and maps out forecast conditions indicates the smoke over Prince George was at its worst between 6 and 8 a.m., when the measurement of fine particulate matter (less than 2.5 millimetres) was beyond 250 parts per million (the highest reading on the scale).

By 9 a.m., that reading had dropped into the 120-250 ppm range and air quality is expected to continue to improve. If the forecast is accurate, from 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. we will be in the 28-60 ppm  range and that will drop down to 10-28 ppm by 6 p.m., which should make it OK to be outside for a walk, but you might want to grab an umbrella. There’s a 60 per cent chance of showers for Prince George tonight

By 10 p.m. tonight, the FireSmoke map current shows Prince George totally clear of smoke.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the big downpours Tuesday that had been predicted by Environment Canada and forests in the central Interior remain tinder dry. 

The fire danger is extreme at the Bednesti, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and Mackenzie stations, while it’s considered high at Mackenzie and Hixon stations. Tuesday’s rain dropped the risk to moderate at McBride and Valemount.

Go to the government website for fire danger updates.

The closest major fire is the West Kiskatinaw River fire east of Tumbler Ridge, a lightning-caused fire that’s grown to 19,714 hectares. Rain Tuesday decreased fire activity and ground crews with heavy equipment continue to build fire guards on the west and east flanks of the fire.

Tumbler Ridge remains under an evacuation order which affects 2,400 residents. The fire is about four kilometres from the town.

The rain did little to combat the Donnie Creek fire between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson. That fire, the second-largest in B.C. history covers 487,500 ha and could result in the closure of the Alaska Highway at Trutch (Mile 202 of the highway).

In Prince George we’re heading for a high of 21 C today. More rain Thursday night, after a mostly sunny day, with the high tomorrow reaching 23 C.