Vanderhoof, B.C –  The Ministry of Environment has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Vanderhoof because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter that are expected to persist until Wednesday afternoon. The  provincial air quality objective for PM2.5, is 25 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), averaged over 24 hours.

Although  the  average  for PM2.5  in Vanderhoof was sitting at 22 as of 4 p.m.,  it is expected  to increase  and exceed the objective overnight tonight.

Concentrations are expected to remain elevated until tomorrow afternoon when wind speed will increase.

Sources of  contributing to this episode include residential home heating wood smoke (from wood stoves) as well as emissions from transportation sources such as automobiles, trucks and rail traffic.

This advisory is in effect until further notice.