Smokey Skies in the Okhanagan

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August 31, 2017 5:07 pm

Updated: August 31, 2017 5:41 pm

Expect another smoky day Friday in north Okanagan

By Megan Turcato North Okanagan Reporter  Global News

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The sky was smokey again in Vernon on Thursday afternoon. The Air Quality Health Index was sitting at seven which falls into the high health risk category.
Megan Turcato / Global News

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The view was blotted out by smoke in the north Okanagan on Thursday and you could smell it in the air. Global Okanagan meteorologist Wesla Wong said north Okanagan residents can expect more of the same on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kelowna and Penticton will not see as much smoke.
READ MORE: Major U.S. wildfire jumps the border, prompts closure of provincial park
Wong explains that is because the wind is blowing west. Vernon and the north Okanagan, as well as the Shuswap, are getting smoke from fires in the Central Interior. However, the smoke is pushing west, largely missing Kelowna as the major fires are to the south and north.

Fire hot spots and the movement of smoke on Thursday August 31. Fire hot spots can be seen in red.
NASA

Wong said areas right near the U.S. border are also seeing smoke from Washington state. The large Diamond Creek wildfire moved into Canada on Tuesday night prompting Canadian authorities to close Cathedral Provincial Park.
Wong forecasted a similar smoke situation on Friday and said the central Okanagan may also receive a little more smoke as the wind may blow in more of a northwesterly direction.
On Thursday afternoon, the Air Quality Health Index was sitting at seven or high health risk in the north Okanagan. While in the south and central Okanagan the air quality was rated as a three or low health risk.