Castlegar NewsWest Kootenay, Kootenay Lake regions’ air quality improves: Environment CanadaAir quality warning endsPhoto: Wikimedia, Creative Commons The quality of the air across the West Kootenay has improved today, according to Environment Canada. Time to breath a sigh of relief; the quality of the air around the Kootenay Lake region and the West Kootenay has improved, according to Environment Canada (EC), with smoke from fires burning on both sides of the border dissipating. The national forecaster had issued a yellow level poor air quality warning for the Kootenay Lake region — as well as across the Arrow Lakes, Slocan Lake, Boundary and greater West Kootenay regions — but late Monday night it pulled the warning. A yellow air quality designation indicated "moderate" air quality on the air quality index (AQI), with a value between 51 and 100, meaning the air is generally acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive groups may experience minor health concerns. Smoke had caused poor air quality and reduced visibility for the last 10 days.