While the smoke is thick and the air quality is poor in Kelowna, there may be some relief on the way.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Lisa Erven says an incoming cold front arriving later this week could help put a dent in the stubborn ridge of high pressure that's keeping the smoke over the Okanagan.
"With that cold front, we're expecting a chance of some shower activity as we get later into the week, and even over the weekend," says Erven.
Additionally, temperatures are expected to cool down to the low-twenties around that time, which is cooler than normal for this time of the year.
But this may not entirely be a good thing.
"The complicating factor here is that, when you destabilize the atmosphere, you have the chance of showers entering the forecast, but then we also have the risk of thunderstorms," says Erven. "And so, where lightning occurs, how much of it occurs, and whether it sparks any new wildfires can certainly bring wildfire smoke concentrations back up."
On the plus side, the concentration of smoke over Kelowna has been on a downward trend in the last few days, despite the poor air quality.
Erven says any improvements to air quality over this week may be gradual, but at this point, it's too soon to tell how much the air quality may improve when the cold front arrives.
The Air Quality Health Index is forecasted 48 hours in advance. It's currently expected to range between 8 and 10+ over this week, and is showing a rating of 8 for Tuesday, which is still a high health risk.