A cold snap on Vancouver Island has led to an air quality advisory being issued for Port Alberni and its surrounding area.
The Ministry of Environment and Island Health issued the advisory Wednesday due to high concentrations of fine particulates that are expected to linger until the weather changes.
Over 24 hours, an average of 28 micrograms per cubic metre were measured in Port Alberni, above the provincial objective of 25 micrograms per cubic metre.
Anyone with chronic health issues such as asthma, diabetes and lung or heart disease are advised to postpone strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted and stay indoors to reduce exposure.
Babies and the elderly are particularly at risk, the ministry said.
The air quality advisory has also prompted new open burning restrictions for the Alberni Valley, within 15 kilometres of Port Alberni City Hall, over the next three days.
During that period, no open burning of debris can occur without approval from the environment ministry. Those who do start new fires could be subject to a fine, the ministry said.
