Smoke from the Keremeos Creek wildfire expected to drift into the Central/North Okanagan

Photo: Cindy White

West Kelowna

UPDATE: 6:55 p.m.

Smoke from the Keremeos Creek wildfire has begun to make its way into parts of the Okanagan.

Smoke is visible throughout the City of West Kelowna according to a resident living along Shannon Lake.

The forecasted Air Quality Health Index for the Central Okanagan and North Okanagan remains at a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Environment Canada has yet to issue a smoke advisory.

People with heart and lung conditions are most affected by air pollution.

ORIGINAL: 3 p.m.

Smoke from the Keremeos Creek wildfire is expected to drift into the Kelowna and Vernon areas tonight.

The forecasted Air Quality Health Index for the Central Okanagan and North Okanagan is 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, but 7+ when smoke is factored in.

“The models we’re looking at are showing there will be a wind shift later this afternoon to this evening from light northerly to southerly winds. So, that will bring some smoke from the Keremeos Creek wildfire,” said meteorologist Johnson Zhong.

“It won’t be too, too severe, I would say. It’s probably just local smoke for tonight up to tomorrow morning,” he adds.

The firesmoke.ca forecast is also showing heavier smoke drifting up from the South Okanagan, starting around 4 p.m. in the Kelowna area. It's expected to mostly dissipate by Monday afternoon.

Along with the Keremeos Creek wildfire, there are a number of blazes burning in Washington and Oregon that are sending smoke into the B.C. Southern Interior.

Air Quality Health Index readings over 7 are considered "high risk."

The elderly, young children and people with respiratory or other serious health conditions should take it easy, including reducing or rescheduling strenuous activity. The general population is advised to reduce or reschedule strenuous activities if they experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.