Thompson Okanagan covered in blanket of smoke (Vernon)

Vernon NewsThompson Okanagan covered in blanket of smokeAir quality warning issuedPhoto: Province of BC With wildfires raging throughout the region, a thick blanket of wildfire smoke has enveloped the Southern Interior. With wildfires raging throughout the region, a thick blanket of wildfire smoke has enveloped the Southern Interior. Orange air quality warnings are now in place for the Thompson-Okanagan, West Kootenay, West and East Columbia as well as the Arrow Lake regions. Yellow air quality warnings are in place for the Fraser Canyon and parts of the Kootenays. “During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour,” said Environment Canada.