'Keep your windows closed': Fire in South Vancouver industrial area prompts warning about air quality

Officials are warning residents about air quality after a three-alarm fire broke out in an industrial area of South Vancouver on Saturday.

Officials say the fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. at a wood recycling facilitynear Ontario Street and Marine Drive.

The blaze was in a pile of wood debris at an industrial estate, according to acting Assistant Fire Chief Andy Greenwood. A firefighting boat had to be deployed on the Fraser River earlymorning.

"We'll be here all day," said Greenwood Saturday morning. "We're doing our best to get this under control. But in the meantime ... close [your] windows if you can."

On Saturday afternoon, Metro Vancouver issued an air quality advisory for the region and the Fraser Valley due to smoke from the fire, as well as from wildfires in the southern Interior.

"Considerable smoke ... is trapped near the surface by an inversion," said a spokesperson from the regional district.

"Smoke from the fire is impacting multiple municipalities including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Surrey, and Coquitlam."

Investigators are now on scene trying to determine the cause of the fire in the woodpile, according to Greenwood. No injuries or threats to nearby businesses were reported.

"Any smoke is dangerous especially to those with respiratory issues," a tweet from Fire Chief KarenFry read.

"Keep your windows closed, avoid being outside or exercising in the smoke."

The Metro Vancouver spokesperson said smoke is more likely to affect those with chronic illnesses, pregnant people and infants, and older people. They said additional smoke is also likely to arrive on Sunday from wildfires across the U.S. border.