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Aug 2, 2023 7:18 PM - The Canadian Press

Residents close to B.C's wildfire warned about health risks

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Smoke from the 30-square kilometre Eagle Bluffs fire near Osoyoos was intense as the flames spread north from Washington state on Saturday and burned within metres of some Osoyoos homes on Sunday. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Residents closest to some of B.C.'s roughly 350 active wildfires are being warned about the risks of wildfire smoke.

Dr. Sue Pollock, the chief medical health officer for Interior Health, says people, especially those with breathing issues, the elderly and children, should be ready to get medical help if they feel short of breath, dizzy or have chest pain.

Smoke from the 30-square kilometre Eagle Bluffs fire near Osoyoos was intense as the flames spread north from Washington state on Saturday and burned within metres of some Osoyoos homes on Sunday.

Winds pushed the fire away from the south Okanagan town by Monday but Pollock says poor air quality will persist in that region as long as the fire burns.

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