Concentrations of fine particulate matter of of the southern half of B.C. have skyrocketed
Smoke comes from hundreds of wildfires burning in Washington state, Oregon and California
Environment Canada says children, the elderly and pregnant women should avoid spending too much time outdoors
Talbott Creek, Woodbury Creek and Doctor Creek fires in B.C. also causing haze
Experts agree fires are more extreme due to drought, warming temperatures they attribute to climate change
Daytime temperatures in fire zones neared or exceeded triple digits
Controlled burns are taking place around the outside of the fire to provide a buffer zone free of flammable materials
‘The ups are getting a little bit higher and the downs aren’t going as low as they usually do’
Fire is reported to be over 18,000 acres and located less than 10 kilometres from the Canadian border
Alert for 3,669 homes had been issued on Aug. 18 due to Christie Mountain wildfire
Good Samaritans prevented the blaze from getting out of control
A cause for most of the wildfires is listed as unknown
BC Wildfire Service working to contain 150 hectare blaze