air quality

The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Island Health issued an air quality advisory for the Cowichan Valley on Sunday, Nov. 20. (Black Press file photo)

Vancouver Island air quality advisory issued Sunday remain in effect

Those in Alberni and Cowichan with chronic conditions urged to take extra care and stay indoors

 

PM 2.5 concentrations are highest during the winter months and evenings. File photo

Courtenay considers ways to regulate excessive wood smoke

Fine particulate matter an ongoing concern for Comox Valley residents

 

A Wood Smoke Reduction Strategy guides action to reduce fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) generated through wood burning. File photo

Courtenay air quality improves, but still below acceptable limits

Action needed to further lower PM 2.5 concentrations: meteorologist

 

The Battleship Mountain wildfire burning near Hudson’s Hope, as seen Sept. 10. The town, as well as surrounding areas in the Peace River Regional District, have since been evacuated. (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

Much of B.C. under air quality advisory as wildfires force evacuations, spread smoke

Evacuation orders in effect around Hudson’s Hope and Hope

The Battleship Mountain wildfire burning near Hudson’s Hope, as seen Sept. 10. The town, as well as surrounding areas in the Peace River Regional District, have since been evacuated. (Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
The sun rises over Mt. Shasta and homes destroyed by the Mill Fire on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Weed, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Noah Berger

Environment Canada ends air quality advisories for southeastern B.C.

Advisories attributed to wildfires burning locally and south of the border in Washington and Idaho

The sun rises over Mt. Shasta and homes destroyed by the Mill Fire on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Weed, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Noah Berger
A Wood Smoke Reduction Strategy intends to guide local government action to reduce fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) generated through wood burning. File photo

Hearth industry unhappy with Comox Valley Airshed Roundtable process

Representatives from the hearth industry are disappointed with the process undertaken by…

A Wood Smoke Reduction Strategy intends to guide local government action to reduce fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) generated through wood burning. File photo
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada has developed a proposal to deal with the use of older stoves and burning unseasoned wood. File photo

Courtenay council questions feasibility of Air Quality Improvement Plan

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada has tabled an Air…

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada has developed a proposal to deal with the use of older stoves and burning unseasoned wood. File photo
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LETTER – Person promoting fines and education for woodsmoke infractions fails to address health concerns

Dear editor, Re: Education, fines would help air quality more than a…

  • Mar 20, 2021
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The association representing woodstoves is fighting bans by municipal governments in the Comox Valley. File photo

Industry fights woodstove bans in Comox Valley

Clean-air advocates not sold on industry data about new stoves

The association representing woodstoves is fighting bans by municipal governments in the Comox Valley. File photo
Wildfire smoke from the United States has drifted to the Island this month. A new roundtable has been discussing air quality to look at ways to respond to the issue of air quality in the Comox Valley. Black Press file photo

Regional roundtable tackles Comox Valley air quality

Group includes a range of government and community members

  • Sep 17, 2020
Wildfire smoke from the United States has drifted to the Island this month. A new roundtable has been discussing air quality to look at ways to respond to the issue of air quality in the Comox Valley. Black Press file photo
Buildings in West Vancouver, B.C., are obscured due to the heavy smoke in the air Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. Heavy smoke and poor air quality have been caused due to the wildfires burning south of the border. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Air quality improves slightly in B.C. from U.S. wildfires

Canada Post has resumed delivery in some parts of the province

Buildings in West Vancouver, B.C., are obscured due to the heavy smoke in the air Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. Heavy smoke and poor air quality have been caused due to the wildfires burning south of the border. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Blue Sky Canada Smoke Forecasting System is showing that local smoke is coming from fires in Washington, in forecast modeling from Sept. 8, 2020 (Blue Sky Canada)

Smoky Skies Alert issued for southern B.C. due to fires in Washington

Forecasting model illustrates drifting smoke hundreds of miles from fires

Blue Sky Canada Smoke Forecasting System is showing that local smoke is coming from fires in Washington, in forecast modeling from Sept. 8, 2020 (Blue Sky Canada)
Regional fire departments have issued information around burning restrictions in light of COVID-19. File photo

Comox Valley fire departments bring in open fire restrictions

Regional approach aimed at supporting air quality during pandemic

Regional fire departments have issued information around burning restrictions in light of COVID-19. File photo
Smoky skies have caused a 25 per cent increase in inhaler prescriptions across B.C. (Photo by Ana Maria Dacol/Creative Commons)

B.C. sees 25% jump in inhaler use from wildfire smoke

Weekly increases saw thousands of people with breathing problems reach for their puffers during air quality advisories

Smoky skies have caused a 25 per cent increase in inhaler prescriptions across B.C. (Photo by Ana Maria Dacol/Creative Commons)
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