TUESDAY JULY 7, 2015
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FOREST FIRES FORCE AIR QUALITY ADVISORY
Smoke on the water Drought continues; Parksville considers total watering ban JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
The smoke and ash enveloping the Parksville Qualicum Beach region these past few days is from three blazes in the Coastal Fire Region, two on the Island and one on the Sunshine Coast. Weather patterns and eye witness accounts suggest most of the smoke and ash here is coming from a forest fire just two kilometres outside Sechelt, roughly 50 kilometres as the gull flies across the Salish Sea. An air quality advisory has been issued for this region by the Ministry of Environment. Real time air quality information in B.C. is available at www.bcairquality.ca. “The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Island Health has issued a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for the east and south coast of Vancouver Island from Campbell River to Victoria, including the interior community of Port Alberni, because of forest fire smoke that is affecting most areas,” said the advisory. “Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change. This situation is expected to persist until meteorological conditions change. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways. Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and lung or heart disease.” The fire burning Sunday closest to Parksville Qualicum Beach was the Dog Mountain fire above the shores of Sproat Lake near Port Alberni. According to the B.C. Wildfire Branch, that fire was at 35 hectares (about 86 acres). Seasonal cabins were evacuated on Saturday. The fire is on steep terrain and as of Sunday afternoon had 21 firefighters and three helicopters on site. Parksville-based crews from the B.C. Wildfire Service are part of the battle against the Tsulquate River fire near Port Hardy. It was at 17 ha Sunday night and an evacuation order, put in place for dozens or residents on Saturday, was lifted Sunday. Many residents of Port Hardy remain on evacuation alert. See NO RAIN RELIEF, page A4
JEFF WESTNEDGE PHOTO
CANADA DAY FIREWORKS: More than 20,000 people packed the waterfront in Parksville on Canada Day for a fireworks spectacular presented by Thrifty Foods. Fore more photos from Canada Day, and a host of other community events, visit www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
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