Wildfires cause smoky skies across B.C. - Action News
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British ColumbiaPhotos

Wildfires cause smoky skies across B.C.

Air quality advisories remain in place for much of southern B.C. as forest fires continue to burn across the region.

The air quality index in some parts of B.C. is considered dangerous

The smoke from the wildfire in Lynch Creek created this vibrant but hazy sunset in Grand Forks, B.C. (Mark Windsor)

A massive fire burning in north-central Washington the largest in the state's history is driving heavy smoke into nearby B.C. communities.

Air quality advisories remained in place for much of southern B.C. Monday as forest fires continued to burn across the region.

OkanaganRunning Info uploaded this video to Facebook showing the change in air quality between Thursday and Sunday this week at Kelowna's downtown waterfront.

Reduced visibility

B.C. fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek says the heavy blanket ofsmoke acts like cloud cover by reflecting some of the sun's heat away from the ground and trapping some humidity closer toground level.

The smoky skies made driving in the Okanagan region a challenge for some as visibility was reduced.

Grand Forks, B.C. resident Karen Bull wears a mask as she works in her garden. (Karen Bull)
The smoke in Grand Forks, B.C. made it a challenge to see nearby farms. (Karen Bull)
Kelowna, as seen from Knox Mt. Park, was blanketed in a haze of smoke. (Rodney Saigeon)

Vibrant sunsets

The wildfires have also resulted in fiery sunsets.

In Grand Forks, where the 227-square-kilometre Kettle Complex wildfires are burning only a few kilometres away, the air quality is more than five times worse than on an average day in Beijing, a city notorious for its smog problems.

A smoky dawn at Oyama Lake near Kelowna, B.C. on Sunday morning. (Chris Walker/CBC)

South of the border

In Washington and Montana, the smoky skies also created vibrant sunsets and eerie photos.

Glacier National Park, in Montana, was also blanketed in smoke.

With files from The Canadian Press