Environment Canada expands air alerts as wildfire smoke spreads over B.C.

Environment Canada's special air-quality statements for wildfire smoke have now expanded to cover most of British Columbia, with air quality at its worst possible level in parts of the Fraser Valley.

The alerts advise people to limit or avoid outdoor activity and are now in place for all of B.C. outside of Vancouver Island, the Central and North Coast, Haida Gwaii and about a quarter of the province on its northern edge.

An air-quality warning continues to be in effect in Metro Vancouver, covered by orange smoke haze for a third day.

Monitoring from the Metro Vancouver Regional District shows air-quality levels at the worst level of 10-plus in the eastern Fraser Valley near Chilliwack and Hope, posing a "very high-risk" to health.

Environment Canada says the smoke over much of the province will likely persist for up to the next 48 hours, with Metro Vancouver warning the conditions may continue until the weather pattern changes.

The forecast calls for a 30 per cent chance of showers by Saturday, followed by more possible rain on Sunday and Monday.

The smoky conditions are related to wildfires in B.C. and elsewhere, as well as persistent heat that saw five areas break or tie daily temperature records on Thursday.