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The smoke from wildfires hanging in Metro Vancouver’s skies has led to a warning from public health officials.

Metro Vancouver has issued an air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter.

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The numerous wildfires burning in British Columbia and Washington State are to blame, they say.

Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG

Vancouver Coastal Health says people with chronic underlying medical conditions should avoid strenuous exercise until the air clears and the advisory is ended. Infants, the elderly, those who have diabetes and lung or heart disease are especially at risk due to the air conditions.

Smoke concentrations can vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as fire behaviour changes.

Clean air from the ocean swept through the region on the weekend, clearing out the smoke that descended last week. But with a new high pressure ridge arriving, bringing higher temperatures and a northwesterly flow to the wind, smoke blew back down towards the coast.

“Elevated levels of fine particulate matter are expected to persist until there is a change in fire and/or weather conditions,” Metro Vancouver said in a release.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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