1 of 1 2 of 1

Fine particulate matter from smoke caused by a barge fire on the Fraser River in Surrey has prompted an air-quality advisory to be issued today (August 10).

In addition, the wildfire in West Vancouver's Whyte Lake area near Horseshoe Bay (which began on August 8), as well as smoke from wildfires in Washingon, Oregon, and California, may be contributing to smoke concentrations and heightened levels of fine particulate matter.

An air-quality advisory for the Fraser Valley is continuing today due to wildfire smoke from fires in Aggasiz's High Creek area and east of Manning Park.

These advisories are expected to last until changes occur in the current weather.

For the duration of these advisories, anyone with chronic medical conditions should refrain from strenuous activity and exposure is a particular concern for infants, the elderly, and anyone with diabetes, or lung or heart disease.

The ground-level ozone air-quality advisory for eastern Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, which began on August 8, has ended, due to cooler temperatures.

For more information about air-quality in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley is available at the Metro Vancouver website or the B.C. Air Quality website.

West Vancouver Fire and Rescue announced this morning that the Whyte Lake fire was 50 percent contained. However, all Baden Powell trails and trails around Whyte Lake remain closed until further notice.

Meanwhile, all northbound lanes on Highway 99 have been reopened.