British Columbia residents breathed some of the worst air in the world on Monday.
The satellite images from NASA are shocking, an overview of smoke from hundreds of wildfire drifting ominously across BC, into neighboring provinces.
Six new fires sparked on the weekend across the province, the BC Wildfire Services map is awash in red, orange and yellow.
Thousands of fire crew from BC, across Canada, Mexico and Australia are battling 550 fires -- 54 of those fires are threatening BC communities.
On Vancouver Island, the 106 residents in the tiny community of Zeballos on the northwestern coast - remain on edge.
Six properties have been evacuated since the lightning caused blaze began nine days ago.
Compounding fire efforts, the nearby Pinder Creek fire is also listed as out of control, burning on 200 hectares.
Smoke has once again turned blue skies over Greater Victoria a hazy beige tone; the horizon obscured.
On 'Breezometer' which rates air quality on a scale of zero to 100 (zero being the worst) Victoria rated 46 on Monday -- on par with Mumbai, India -- a city renowned with having some of the worst air pollution in the world.
According to the BC Air Quality Health Index, the air in Greater Victoria is hovering around 6 (moderate), but it's predicted to worsen to 8 Monday night and Tuesday.
Health officials are warning about the high levels of fine particulate matter in the smoke, which can easily permeate home and office environments.
The young and the elderly or those with respiratory conditions are at most risk.
The particles can be absorbed into the blood stream and lungs, causing exhaustion and confusion.
If the air is affecting you adversely, experts having an air cleaner in your immediate surroundings can bring relief.
In the last two months, since June 20, the Victoria region has received just 27.2 mm (one inch) of precipitation.