Here’s when the wildfire smoke over Greater Victoria is expected to clear

The smell of wildfire smoke was difficult to miss across Greater Victoria on Tuesday, as a visible layer of haze settled over the region and obscured views across southern Vancouver Island.

The latest FireSmoke.ca forecast shows the most noticeable ground-level smoke concentrated over Greater Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula and other parts of southern Vancouver Island throughout Tuesday afternoon.

Locally thicker patches are forecast around Sooke, Sidney and portions of the Saanich Peninsula, while Victoria and the West Shore can expect smoky conditions to persist into the early evening.

However, relief may be only hours away.

The hourly forecast shows the smoke beginning to thin after approximately 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25th, with a more significant improvement expected between 8 and 10 p.m. Most of Greater Victoria is forecast to see considerably clearer conditions overnight and into Wednesday.

The shape and movement of the plume suggest the smoke is arriving primarily from the east and southeast, spreading across the waters from a broader mix of wildfire activity in Washington State and southern BC.

According to the interactive map, the smoke does not appear to be coming from one large wildfire burning immediately outside Greater Victoria. Instead, smoke from several fires has combined into a widespread plume capable of travelling hundreds of kilometres.

Environment Canada is forecasting strong west winds near Juan de Fuca Strait late Tuesday afternoon and evening, reaching up to 70 km/h in some exposed areas. Those winds are expected to help push the smoke away from southern Vancouver Island.

As the plume moves, lighter haze is expected to spread farther north along the east side of Vancouver Island, including through Duncan, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River during the late afternoon and early evening.

Conditions are not expected to be as thick in those areas as they are around Greater Victoria. The west coast and northern tip of the Island are also forecast to experience considerably less ground-level smoke.

By Wednesday morning, the FireSmoke model shows very little smoke remaining over Greater Victoria or most other parts of Vancouver Island.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service was listing 157 active wildfires across the province with 14 active fires on Vancouver Island. 

Those wildfires are in various stages of control and many are burning in remote areas.

Four active fires were listed within the South Island Fire Zone, including the Lens Creek wildfire which remained out of control, the Granite Main fire was being held and the Hollyoak Lake and Hams Creek fires were under control.

None of the fires burning on Vancouver Island was classified as a “wildfire of note” by the BC Wildfire Service.

Rain is not expected to provide immediate relief in Greater Victoria.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud on Wednesday, followed by only a chance of showers Wednesday night and Thursday.

More substantial moisture is expected along western Vancouver Island, where drizzle and showers are forecast to develop Wednesday. Parts of eastern and northern Vancouver Island have a better chance of receiving showers on Thursday.

For Greater Victoria, the approaching west winds are expected to clear the smoke well before any rain arrives.

Vancouver Island was not included among the regions covered by Tuesday’s provincial Air Quality Warning; however, smoke can change quickly and vary significantly between neighbourhoods.