Stinky tourists arenB次元官网网址檛 unheard of in Victoria but the latest visitor cast a wide hazy net across the lower Island.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had forest fire smoke in the air and we suspect, although we need to do lots of analysis, that this came from Siberia and eastern Asia. I think a lot of that has cleared out,B次元官网网址� said Steve Sakiyama, air science specialist with the Ministry of Environment.

A combination of smoke, emissions, cool marine air and the extra moisture likely created a more noticeable haze.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to figure out the same questions. These are our best analysis at the moment,B次元官网网址� Sakiyama said.

B次元官网网址淲ith these hot conditions, and the winds are fairly light, we donB次元官网网址檛 have a lot of this air pollution dispersing,B次元官网网址� he said.

Marine air moving in adds to the effect. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 cool, moist air that tends to hang around the ground so the pollution ... it stays around the ground as well.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 more moisture in the air of course, when you have this air from the ocean, and that tends to stick on some of the pollution thatB次元官网网址檚 in the air already B次元官网网址� and they grow,B次元官网网址� he added.

While Doug Lundquist wonB次元官网网址檛 rule out other sources high in the atmosphere, the Environment Canada meteorologist took a second look at data and found the more recent addition of smoke likely came from the U.S.

B次元官网网址淯p until just (Tuesday) or the day before, most of the flow was coming from the south and southeast, so Arizona,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t looks like itB次元官网网址檚 coming from south of the border. There may be more than one source of smoke, but I think the thickest came from the south.B次元官网网址�

Add to that the homegrown pollution and wildfires across the province and there could be more in the works for the summer.

B次元官网网址�(It) can change quite rapidly, especially if wildfires are affecting our atmosphere,B次元官网网址� Sakiyama said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking at a number of factors. ItB次元官网网址檚 all influenced by meteorology and emissions, some of those emissions may be wildfires which is difficult if not impossible to predict.B次元官网网址�

The haze could blow off quickly, or hang about as unwanted guests tend to.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of factors on how to clear it out. B次元官网网址� It depends on the way the wind is blowing,B次元官网网址� Lundquist said. B次元官网网址淔or the next week or two, I think the flow will be more off the open ocean and thatB次元官网网址檚 often a better direction for (Victoria).B次元官网网址�

Resources

B次元官网网址� Residents with health concerns can visit bcairquality.ca to find Victoria readings updated hourly.

* Follow provincial wildfires at bcwildfire.ca.