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Residents across Metro Vancouver and other parts of B.C. woke to the sight of a thick haze in the sky Sunday morning as the province’s wildfire season continues to escalate.

An air quality advisory was issued later in the day as a result.

READ MORE: Air quality advisory issued for Metro Vancouver and Sunshine Coast

The Coastal Fire Centre says the haze is a product of smoke from B.C.’s interior blowing out to the coast.

“Usually on the coast, we get the winds that blow from the ocean to the interior. Last night and today, they switched around and smoke and ash from fires in the interior are blowing out to the coast,” said Donna MacPherson of the Coastal Fire Centre.

“Some places, that smoke has piled up pretty thick. We’re here in Parksville and we’ve got an orange sky.”

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They are warning residents to be extra cautious today as the wind is bringing extremely dry air to the region, which increases the risk of fire.

The Surrey Fire Department said they ahd to bring in an extra dispatcher to answer calls about smoky haze. They are asking residents to not call 911 unless there is a true emergency and they can actually see a column of smoke.

PHOTOS: Hazy skies in Vancouver and other parts of B.C.