3 BC towns had world's worst air quality during wildfires
According to Greenpeace, the air quality in all three regions during wildfire season was "unhealthy" as per World Health Organization standards.
A newly-published report by Greenpeace Canada says three B.C. communities had some of the worst air quality in the world during last summer's intense wildfires.
Quesnel and Prince George took the 7th and 10th spots, respectively. Lake Williams didn't make the top ten, but it took the thirteenth spot.
Padre las Casas, Chile – 93.0
Hotan, China – 91.9
Bhiwadi, India – 83.6
Anderson, California, USA – 78.0
Chelan, Washington, USA – 76.2
Fairdabad, India – 74.5
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada – 74.2 ***
Coyhaique, Chile – 73.2
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada – 72.2 ***
Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA – 70
According to Greenpeace, the air quality in all three regions during wildfire season was "unhealthy" as per World Health Organization standards.
Prince George's average annual air quality score worsened by nearly 70 per cent between 2017 and 2018.
“We cannot accept this. Our province’s vulnerability to forest wildfires has a major impact on the air we all breathe and has serious public health implications," said Eduardo Sousa, Senior Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Canada.
"The report really underscores that we need to act on climate change more robustly for the sake of our well-being and our environment.”
IT WAS 'TOO AWFUL OUT THERE'
In August 2018, at the height of the wildfires, Kelowna resident Christie Diadio told The Weather Network the air in the area smelled like "so many campfires" in the area.
"We try to stay inside as much as we can," she added.
"It's just too awful out there. The light that does make it through is orange, and everything looks quite eerie."
Diadio also noted it was much chillier with the diminished sunshine.
