Wildfires bring smoky skies to Kamloops, Okanagan

It's going to get smoky in Kamloops and the Okanagan thanks to wildfires burning in the province. People in Kamloops and the Okanagan are being advised to remain conscious of the impact of wildfire smoke. Interior Health, First Nations Health Authority, and other medical authorities are warning people about an increase in smoke in the air over the next 24 to 48 hours, according to a Smoky Skies Bulletin issued today, July 18. Lightning strikes have contributed to new fire starts across B.C. and a broad layer of smoke is expected to cover Kamloops and parts of the Okanagan. Smoke conditions can change quickly and vary hour to hour, the bulletin said. People with preexisting health conditions are being advised to be particularly cautious about the health impact of smoke exposure. People are being advised to stay cool, drink lots of fluids and stop or reduce activity if breathing becomes difficult. Anyone with asthma or other chronic illnesses should carry any necessary fast-acting medications at all times. READ MORE: UPDATE: Two wildfires merge south of Ashcroft; hundreds evacuated https://infotel.ca/newsitem/two-wildfires-south-of-ashcroft-force-overnight-evacuations/it105769 Everyone responds a bit differently to smoke. Mild irritation and discomfort are common and usually disappear when the smoke clears. Anyone who is unsure if they need medical attention should call HealthLink BC at 811, and anyone with difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a severe cough should seek medical care. Always call 911 if there is a medical emergency. Smoke levels indoors will be lower than outside, but can persist at elevated levels so people should still be conscious of the smoke while inside. Health agencies recommend a commercial high efficiency particulate air filter to improve air quality in the room where the device is. Changing the filters on air conditioning systems can also help with air quality. People can go to libraries, shopping malls, and other public indoor spaces with filtered air to get some relief from the smoke. Keeping car windows rolled up can help with smoke inhalation while driving. Click here for an air quality map. https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html Click here for more information from HealthLink BC. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/more/health-features/wildfires-and-your-health Click here for the air advisory bulletin.  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-quality/air-advisories To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas mailto:jtomas@infonews.ca  or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .