Thick smog from wildfires burning in British Columbia engulfed the Okanagan region on August 19.

On Sunday, the air quality index in Okanagan, Castlegar, Kamloops, Prince George, Whistler and Williams Lake was upgraded to a “very high” health risk. Environment Canada said air quality improvements were not expected until there was a “significant change” in the weather patterns.

Two major wildfires have been burning in British Columbia: the 6,996-hectare Meachen Creek Fire, which prompted an evacuation alert for thousands of residents; and the massive Shovel Lake wildfire, which has engulfed 84,793 hectares. Credit: Instagram/1esson via Storyful