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| date | 2025-09-07 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ice | Issue | ||||||||||||||||||
| location | Multiple regions in B.C. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| smokeDuration | 24-48 hours | ||||||||||||||||||
| title | Air Quality Warning - Wildfire Smoke | ||||||||||||||||||
| toc-title | Table of contents | ||||||||||||||||||
| type | wildfire_smoke |
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The Regions of BC highlighted on the map are being impacted or are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours.
During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.
Monitor the situation for any wildfires near your area at EmergencyInfoBC. Follow all emergency announcements relevant to your location.
The next update will be available on September 08, 2025 and made available on the Province's Air Quality Warnings webpage.
{fig-alt="Air Quality Warning - Wildfire Smoke Regions for September 07, 2025: 100 Mile, Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake, B.C. North Peace River, B.C. South Peace River, Boundary, Cariboo (North), Cariboo (South), Central Okanagan, Chilcotin, East Columbia, East Kootenay (North), East Kootenay (South), Elk Valley, Fort Nelson, Fraser Canyon (North), Fraser Canyon (South), Kinbasket, Kootenay Lake, Lakes District, McGregor, Nicola, North Columbia, North Okanagan, North Thompson, Prince George, Shuswap, Similkameen, South Okanagan , South Thompson, Stuart - Nechako, West Columbia, West Kootenay, Whistler, Williston, Yoho - Kootenay Park."
width="100%" height="600px"}
As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
People more likely to be negatively impacted by outdoor air pollution should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. This includes people aged 65 and older, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and diabetes, and people who work outdoors.
{{< accordion_controls >}} {{< accordion_start title="Follow your common sense" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
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Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
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Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
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Carry any rescue medications with you at all times.
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Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves follow the same advice.
{{< accordion_end >}} {{< accordion_start title="Monitor your symptoms" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
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Different people have different responses to smoke.
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Mild irritation and discomfort such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears.
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More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.
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People with asthma or other chronic illness should follow any personal care plans designed with their family physicians.
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If you are unsure whether you need medical care, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
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If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, or a severe cough, contact your physician, walk-in clinic, or emergency department. If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
{{< accordion_end >}} {{< accordion_start title="Tips to reduce your smoke exposure" initiallyOpen="true" >}}
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Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
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When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
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When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
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Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
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If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.
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Check on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.
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Always follow guidance from local authorities.
{{< accordion_end >}}
For additional general information about wildfire smoke and air quality:
::: bcds-card-wrapper {{< card_start title="Air Quality Health Index" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}} Provincial summary of latest index and forecast.
What's the air like today? {{< card_end >}} {{< card_start title="Air Quality Map" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}} Provincial air quality data refreshed every hour.
Latest air quality data {{< card_end >}} {{< card_start title="Environment and Climate Change Canada FireWork" variant="danger" logo="/assets/icon_smoke.svg" >}} Air quality maps of next 72 hours.
Air quality forecast maps {{< card_end >}} {{< card_start title="FireSmoke Canada" variant="danger" logo="/assets/icon_smoke.svg" >}} BlueSky Canada smoke forecasting system.
Smoke forecasts {{< card_end >}} {{< card_start title="Metro Vancouver Air Quality" variant="success" logo="/assets/icon_chart.svg" >}} Advisories and map of air quality and weather data.
Air quality data and warnings {{< card_end >}} :::
For additional general information about wildfire smoke and your health:
::: bcds-card-wrapper {{< card_start title="BC Centre for Disease Control" logo="/assets/logo_BCCDC.png" >}} Fact sheets on wildfire smoke and its health impacts.
Wildfire smoke {{< card_end >}}{{< card_start title="Interior Health Authority" logo="/assets/logo_IH_horizontal.png" >}} Steps to prepare and manage wildfire-related issues.
Wildfire public information {{< card_end >}}{{< card_start title="First Nations Health Authority" logo="/assets/logo_FNHA_horizontal.png" >}} Information and resources to help you prepare.
Wildfire smoke health information {{< card_end >}} {{< card_start title="HealthLink BC" logo="/assets/logo_BCID_HealthLinkBC_RGB_pos.png" >}} Learn and prepare for wildfires. Phone 8-1-1 for 24/7 health advice.
Wildfires and your health {{< card_end >}} {{< card_start title="Worksafe BC" logo="/assets/logo_worksafebc.jpg" >}} Info on working outdoors during smoky conditions.
Wildfire FAQ {{< card_end >}} :::
Media and public inquiries regarding air quality and the Air Quality Warning for wildfire smoke:
{{< card_start width="wide" >}} Nick Davey<br />{=html}Air Quality
Meteorologist<br />{=html}Ministry of Environment and
Parks<br />{=html}778-362-4477 {{< card_end >}}
Media questions regarding health implications of wildfires:
{{< card_start width="wide" >}} First Nations Health
Authority<br />{=html}Environmental Public Health Services or Main
FNHA Line: 604-693-6500 <br />{=html}After Hours:
1-844-666-0711<br />{=html}Email:
Ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca<br />{=html}Media line:
604-831-4898<br />{=html}
Fraser Health Authority<br />{=html}Media Line:
604-613-0794<br />{=html}Email: media@fraserhealth.ca<br />{=html}
Interior Health Authority<br />{=html}Media line:
1-844-469-7077<br />{=html}Email:
media@interiorhealth.ca<br />{=html}
Northern Health Authority<br />{=html}Media Line:
1-877-961-7724<br />{=html}
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority<br />{=html}Email:
media@vch.ca<br />{=html}After-hours media line:
604-202-2012<br />{=html} {{< card_end >}}
- 100 Mile: includes Hwy 97 from 108 Mile House to Clinton, Bridge Lake and Canim Lake.
- Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake: includes Slocan, New Denver, Nakusp, and Fauquier.
- B.C. North Peace River: includes the City of Fort St John and all communities along Hwy 97 extending from Farmington to Pink Mountain; Hwy 29 including Moberly Lake, Hudson's Hope; also includes Rolla, Clayhurst and Goodlow.
- B.C. South Peace River: includes Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, and Tumbler Ridge.
- Boundary: includes Grand Forks, Midway and Greenwood.
- Cariboo (North): includes Quesnel, Wells and Bowron Lake Park.
- Cariboo (South): includes Williams Lake, Northern and Central sections of Wells Gray Park.
- Central Okanagan: includes Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna and Peachland.
- Chilcotin: includes Hansville, Alexis Creek, Chilanko Forks, Tatla Lake, Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake, and the southern half of Tweedsmuir Park.
- East Columbia: includes Golden.
- East Kootenay (North): includes Edgewater, Invermere, Canal Flats and Skookumchuck.
- East Kootenay (South): includes Kimberley, Cranbrook, Yahk, Moyie, Wasa Lake Provincial Park, Jaffray, Grasmere and Roosville.
- Elk Valley: includes Elko, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford.
- Fort Nelson: includes Fort Nelson, Muskwa, Prophet River, Buckinghorse River, Sikanni Chief, and Hwy 77 north to the Yukon border.
- Fraser Canyon (North): includes Lillooet and Andersen Lake.
- Fraser Canyon (South): Trans Canada Hwy 1 from Lytton to Dogwood Valley.
- Kinbasket: includes Kinbasket reservoir south of Valemount.
- Kootenay Lake: includes Creston and Kaslo.
- Lakes District: includes Houston, Topley, Burns Lake, and Endako.
- McGregor: includes the northern end of the Robson Valley extending from Hansard to Dome Creek; extends north to Monkman Park.
- Nicola: includes Merritt, Stump Lake, Pennask Lake, and Brookmere.
- North Columbia: includes Blue River and McMurphy.
- North Okanagan: includes Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Lavington and Lumby.
- North Thompson: includes Barriere, Clearwater and Vavenby.
- Prince George: includes the City of Prince George, Hwy 16 Bednesti to Upper Fraser, and Hwy 97 Hixon to the south end of McLeod Lake.
- Shuswap: includes Salmon Arm, Sicamous, and Chase.
- Similkameen: includes Princeton, Allenby, Copper Mountain, Jura, and Hedley.
- South Okanagan : includes Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, Keremeos, Oliver and Osoyoos.
- South Thompson: Includes Kamloops, Rayleigh, Monte Creek, Cache Creek, Spences Bridge and Logan Lake.
- Stuart - Nechako: includes Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser, Vanderhoof, Fort St James, and Tachie.
- West Columbia: includes Revelstoke.
- West Kootenay: includes Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland.
- Whistler: includes Whistler and Pemberton.
- Williston: includes McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and Williston Lake.
- Yoho - Kootenay Park: includes Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.