Photo: Castanet scenic cameras

Knox Mountain webcam

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.

The latest BC Air Quality Health Index reading from the station in Kelowna has now been adjusted to a "very high risk" of 10+.

The hourly PM 2.5, which measures wildfire smoke, has jumped to 176.8 µg/m3.

ORIGINAL 2:00 p.m.

No new fires have popped up nearby, but heavy smoke rolled into in the Central Okanagan today.

Several readers have contacted Castanet to ask where it’s coming from. Our webcams also show how bad it is this afternoon.

A Smoky Skies Bulletin was issued Tuesday, saying many regions of B.C. are being impacted or are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24 to 48 hours.

However, the air quality reading in Kelowna through the Environment Canada website shows as N/A and the BC Air Quality Health Index puts it in the low risk range. In Vernon it’s listed as high risk and Kamloops as very high. Castanet has reached out to the provincial government to inquire if Kelowna's air quality sensor is malfunctioning.

The smoke forecast shows a significant amount drifting into the Kelowna area from wildfires burning north and south of the city.

Environment Canada has also issued a Special Weather Statement and is advising heat warnings could be coming in the next few days.

Photo: Colin Dacre