Air quality on Vancouver Island will be affected by wildfires raging across B.C., says the nation鈥檚 environmental authority.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement on Saturday, Aug. 19 which will affect the area in the next 24-48 hours.

鈥淲inds across the province are expected to shift several times in the next 24-hours,鈥� Environment Canada stated. 鈥淓xpect smoke conditions to also change rapidly over both space and time.鈥�

People with lung and heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant women and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects, advised Environment Canada, and should seek advice from health professionals.

Yesterday, the B.C. government declared a due rapidly changing wildfire situation.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, there are currently 383 active wildfires burning in the province.

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