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UPDATED: Air quality alert, heat warning drops for Metro Vancouver

Anyone with breathing issues is cautioned about outdoors activity.
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An air quality alert for Metro Vancouver has been extended through Sunda, Aug. 15, 2021.

UPDATE 12: 37 p.m.:

The special air quality statement has ended as of 12:37 p.m. Aug. 15.


ORIGINAL 11:15 a.m.: While temperatures aren't as high as they have been, the air quality still isn't great in Vancouver.

Environment Canada's heat warning has been dropped as of this morning, according to the federal agency's website. The high today is expected to peak at 26 C, much closer to the average than recent temperatures which were closer to 30 C, depending on where in Vancouver someone was.

Official records from Vancouver International Airport shows Aug. 13 was the peak of the most recent heat wave, with a high of 28.8 C at Vancouver International Airport. Often Environment Canada notes temperatures are higher further from the ocean.

The heat wave's end doesn't mean the air quality has improved greatly. The federal agency notes they are leaving their special air quality statement in place due to the "high concentrations of fine particulate matter" persisting through the day.

"While some areas have seen improvements in air quality today, smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes," they state.

They caution anyone with chronic underlying medical conditions to reduce or cancel outdoor activities.

The air may improve tomorrow as wind patterns change and wildfire behaviour alters. There's also a 60 per cent chance of showers.