Keep your windows closed, New West: the air has gotten significantly worse out there.
Metro Vancouver is continuing an air quality advisory for the region because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke in B.C. and Washington state.
As of 3 p.m., New Westminster’s air quality monitoring station was registering an air quality index of 10+, the highest health risk. Wildfire smoke is continuing to take a visible toll on the views; residents woke up to orange-red sun in a hazy brown sky, and a haze continues to hang over the city.
Metro Vancouver notes that smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures shift and wildfire behaviour changes.
EXTREME HEAT ALERT
At the same time, Fraser Health has upgraded the existing heat warning to an extreme heat alert.
New Westminster’s forecast is calling for temperatures of up to 36C today, with high temperatures continuing into tomorrow and Sunday.
Residents who need to seek relief from the hot and smoky air are advised to turn out to one of the city’s four cooling centres.
Century House, 620 Eighth St., will be open 24 hours a day, while the heat warning is in effect. Queensborough Community Centre (920 Ewen Ave.) and Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) will be open from noon to 9 p.m., while the New Westminster Public Library (716 Sixth Ave.) will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pets are welcome to accompany their people at all of the cooling centres, with the exception of the public library.
People who require assistance getting to and from a cooling centre can contact Royal City Taxi at 604-521-6666 for free transportation within New Westminster.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
