|
| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +author: |
| 3 | +- Gavin King |
| 4 | +authors: |
| 5 | +- Gavin King |
| 6 | +date: 2026-07-20 |
| 7 | +ice: Issue |
| 8 | +level: yellow |
| 9 | +location: Multiple regions in B.C. |
| 10 | +parametersAsRendered: |
| 11 | + aqMet: Gavin King |
| 12 | + customMessage: Smoke is predicted to move into the Kootenay region |
| 13 | + from the south during the day. Smoke is predicted to continue to |
| 14 | + move south and west from the Peace region through the day. Smoke |
| 15 | + will continue to impact the Fraser Canyon and western side of the |
| 16 | + South Thompson. |
| 17 | + location: Multiple regions in B.C. |
| 18 | + nextUpdate: 2026-07-21 |
| 19 | + outputFormat: markdown |
| 20 | + smokeDuration: 24-48 hours |
| 21 | + twoLevels: false |
| 22 | + warningLevel: |
| 23 | + all: |
| 24 | + - Fraser Canyon - north including Lillooet |
| 25 | + - Fraser Canyon - south including Lytton |
| 26 | + - South Thompson |
| 27 | + - West Kootenay |
| 28 | + - Kootenay Lake |
| 29 | + - East Kootenay - south including Cranbrook |
| 30 | + - Fort Nelson |
| 31 | + - B.C. North Peace River |
| 32 | + - B.C. South Peace River |
| 33 | + - McGregor |
| 34 | + - Prince George |
| 35 | + - Williston |
| 36 | + yellow: |
| 37 | + - Fraser Canyon - north including Lillooet |
| 38 | + - Fraser Canyon - south including Lytton |
| 39 | + - South Thompson |
| 40 | + - West Kootenay |
| 41 | + - Kootenay Lake |
| 42 | + - East Kootenay - south including Cranbrook |
| 43 | + - Fort Nelson |
| 44 | + - B.C. North Peace River |
| 45 | + - B.C. South Peace River |
| 46 | + - McGregor |
| 47 | + - Prince George |
| 48 | + - Williston |
| 49 | +params: |
| 50 | + aqMet: Sakshi Jain |
| 51 | + customMessage: "`Custom message.`" |
| 52 | + location: Multiple locations in B.C. |
| 53 | + nextUpdate: 2025-02-10 |
| 54 | + outputFormat: markdown |
| 55 | + smokeDuration: "`24-48 hours`" |
| 56 | + twoLevels: false |
| 57 | + warningLevel: |
| 58 | + value: |
| 59 | + all: |
| 60 | + - Watson Lake |
| 61 | + - Prince George |
| 62 | + - Whistler |
| 63 | + - South Okanagan |
| 64 | + orange: |
| 65 | + - Whistler |
| 66 | + red: |
| 67 | + - South Okanagan |
| 68 | + yellow: |
| 69 | + - Watson Lake |
| 70 | + - Prince George |
| 71 | +title: Air quality warning in effect for wildfire smoke |
| 72 | +toc-title: Table of contents |
| 73 | +type: wildfire_smoke |
| 74 | +--- |
| 75 | + |
| 76 | +<!-- |
| 77 | +Copyright 2025 Province of British Columbia |
| 78 | +
|
| 79 | +This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. |
| 80 | +To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. |
| 81 | +--> |
| 82 | +<!-- Logo header for markdown output, the layout-col should be set based on number of logos including FHNA and BCGov --> |
| 83 | +<!-- the trailing slash means the text in square brackets is alt text --> |
| 84 | +<!-- note: logos and title for PDF output handled in src/header.txt --> |
| 85 | + |
| 86 | +::: {layout-ncol= 5 layout-valign="bottom"} |
| 87 | + |
| 88 | +\ |
| 89 | + |
| 90 | +\ |
| 91 | + |
| 92 | +\ |
| 93 | + |
| 94 | +\ |
| 95 | + |
| 96 | +\ |
| 97 | + |
| 98 | +::: |
| 99 | + |
| 100 | +{{< banner_alert_start title='Yellow Warning - Air Quality' variant='yellow'>}} |
| 101 | +{{< banner_alert_end >}} |
| 102 | + |
| 103 | +The Regions of BC highlighted on the map are being impacted or are |
| 104 | +likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours. |
| 105 | + |
| 106 | +Smoke is predicted to move into the Kootenay region from the south |
| 107 | +during the day. Smoke is predicted to continue to move south and west |
| 108 | +from the Peace region through the day. Smoke will continue to impact the |
| 109 | +Fraser Canyon and western side of the South Thompson. |
| 110 | + |
| 111 | +During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short |
| 112 | +distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour. |
| 113 | + |
| 114 | +Monitor the situation for any wildfires near your area at |
| 115 | +[EmergencyInfoBC](https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/). Follow all |
| 116 | +emergency announcements relevant to your location. |
| 117 | + |
| 118 | +The next update will be available on July 21, 2026 and made available on |
| 119 | +the Province's [Air Quality Warnings |
| 120 | +webpage](https://aqwarnings.gov.bc.ca/). |
| 121 | + |
| 122 | +{fig-alt="Air Quality Warning - Wildfire Smoke Regions for July 20, 2026: B.C. North Peace River, B.C. South Peace River, East Kootenay (South), Fort Nelson, Fraser Canyon (North), Fraser Canyon (South), Kootenay Lake, McGregor, Prince George, South Thompson, West Kootenay, Williston." |
| 127 | +width="100%" height="600px"} |
| 128 | + |
| 129 | +## Actions you can take |
| 130 | + |
| 131 | +Exposure to smoke can affect your health. Postpone or reduce strenuous |
| 132 | +outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Spend time indoors in a |
| 133 | +space with cleaner air. |
| 134 | + |
| 135 | +Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by smoke. This |
| 136 | +includes people with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, |
| 137 | +infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, and anyone whose |
| 138 | +health is affected by a chronic condition or acute illness. |
| 139 | + |
| 140 | +## During smoky conditions |
| 141 | + |
| 142 | +{{< accordion_controls >}} |
| 143 | +{{< accordion_start title="Follow your common sense" initiallyOpen="true" >}} |
| 144 | + |
| 145 | +- Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes |
| 146 | + uncomfortable or you feel unwell. |
| 147 | + |
| 148 | +- Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids. |
| 149 | + |
| 150 | +- Carry any rescue medications with you at all times. |
| 151 | + |
| 152 | +- Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves |
| 153 | + follow the same advice. |
| 154 | + |
| 155 | +{{< accordion_end >}} |
| 156 | +{{< accordion_start title="Monitor your symptoms" initiallyOpen="true" >}} |
| 157 | + |
| 158 | +- Different people have different responses to smoke. |
| 159 | + |
| 160 | +- Mild irritation and discomfort such as eye, nose and throat |
| 161 | + irritation, phlegm production, runny nose, headaches or mild cough |
| 162 | + are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears. |
| 163 | + |
| 164 | +- More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains |
| 165 | + or severe cough. |
| 166 | + |
| 167 | +- People with asthma or other chronic illness should follow any |
| 168 | + personal care plans designed with their family physicians. |
| 169 | + |
| 170 | +- If you are unsure whether you need medical care, call HealthLink BC |
| 171 | + at 8-1-1. |
| 172 | + |
| 173 | +- If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing, chest pain or |
| 174 | + discomfort, or a severe cough, contact your physician, walk-in |
| 175 | + clinic, or emergency department. **If you are having a medical |
| 176 | + emergency, call 9-1-1.** |
| 177 | + |
| 178 | +{{< accordion_end >}} |
| 179 | +{{< accordion_start title="Tips to reduce your smoke exposure" initiallyOpen="true" >}} |
| 180 | + |
| 181 | +- Smoke levels may still be elevated indoors, so stay aware of your |
| 182 | + symptoms even when you are indoors. |
| 183 | + |
| 184 | +- When indoors, keep windows and doors closed. If it is hot, |
| 185 | + prioritize keeping cool. |
| 186 | + |
| 187 | +- Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Use a clean, good |
| 188 | + quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified |
| 189 | + portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles. Do-it-yourself |
| 190 | + air cleaners may also be used if other options are unavailable. For |
| 191 | + more details, see the BC Centre for Disease Control [Do-it Yourself |
| 192 | + Air |
| 193 | + Cleaners](https://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Health-Environment/BCCDC_WildFire_FactSheet_BoxFanAirFilters.pdf) |
| 194 | + fact sheet. |
| 195 | + |
| 196 | +- If your home is smoky or hot, spend time in places with cleaner, air |
| 197 | + conditioned air such as community centres, libraries, or malls. |
| 198 | + |
| 199 | +- If you must be outside, a well-constructed, well-fitting and |
| 200 | + properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or |
| 201 | + equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine |
| 202 | + particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there |
| 203 | + can still be risks to health. |
| 204 | + |
| 205 | +- When in a vehicle, keep windows closed with the air flow (or air |
| 206 | + conditioning) set to recirculate. |
| 207 | + |
| 208 | +- Check on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more |
| 209 | + likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke. |
| 210 | + |
| 211 | +- Always follow guidance from local authorities. |
| 212 | + |
| 213 | +{{< accordion_end >}} |
| 214 | + |
| 215 | +## More information |
| 216 | + |
| 217 | +**For additional general information about wildfire smoke and air |
| 218 | +quality:** |
| 219 | + |
| 220 | +::: bcds-card-wrapper |
| 221 | +{{< card_start title="Air Quality Health Index" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}} |
| 222 | +Provincial summary of latest index and forecast. |
| 223 | + |
| 224 | +[What's the air like |
| 225 | +today?](https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/data/aqhi-table.html) |
| 226 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 227 | +{{< card_start title="Provincial Air Quality Map" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}} |
| 228 | +Provincial air quality data refreshed every hour. |
| 229 | + |
| 230 | +[Latest air quality |
| 231 | +data](https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html) |
| 232 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 233 | +{{< card_start title="Environment and Climate Change Canada FireWork" variant="danger" logo="/assets/icon_smoke.svg" >}} |
| 234 | +Air quality maps of next 72 hours. |
| 235 | + |
| 236 | +[Smoke forecast maps](https://weather.gc.ca/firework/index_e.html) |
| 237 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 238 | +{{< card_start title="FireSmoke Canada" variant="danger" logo="/assets/icon_smoke.svg" >}} |
| 239 | +BlueSky Canada smoke forecasting system. |
| 240 | + |
| 241 | +[Smoke forecast map](https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/) |
| 242 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 243 | +{{< card_start title="Low Cost Sensor Map" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}} |
| 244 | +Crowdsourced low cost sensor data. |
| 245 | + |
| 246 | +[Low cost sensor map](https://aqmap.ca/aqmap/) {{< card_end >}} |
| 247 | +{{< card_start title="Metro Vancouver Air Quality" variant="success" logo="/assets/icon_chart.svg" >}} |
| 248 | +Warnings and map of air quality and weather data. |
| 249 | + |
| 250 | +[Air quality data and |
| 251 | +warnings](https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/air-quality-data-and-advisories) |
| 252 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 253 | +{{< card_start title="Local Resources" variant="info" logo="/assets/icon_air.svg" >}} |
| 254 | + |
| 255 | +[Prince George Air Improvement |
| 256 | +Roundtable](https://www.pgairquality.com/) {{< card_end >}} |
| 257 | +::: |
| 258 | + |
| 259 | +**For additional general information about wildfire smoke and your |
| 260 | +health:** |
| 261 | + |
| 262 | +::: bcds-card-wrapper |
| 263 | +{{< card_start title="BC Centre for Disease Control" logo="/assets/logo_BCCDC.png" >}} |
| 264 | +Fact sheets on wildfire smoke and its health impacts. |
| 265 | + |
| 266 | +[Wildfire |
| 267 | +smoke](http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke) |
| 268 | +{{< card_end >}}{{< card_start title="Interior Health Authority" logo="/assets/logo_IH_horizontal.png" >}} |
| 269 | +Steps to prepare and manage wildfire-related issues. |
| 270 | + |
| 271 | +[Wildfire public |
| 272 | +information](https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/natural-disasters-and-emergencies/wildfires) |
| 273 | +{{< card_end >}}{{< card_start title="First Nations Health Authority" logo="/assets/logo_FNHA_horizontal.png" >}} |
| 274 | +Information and resources to help you prepare. |
| 275 | + |
| 276 | +[Wildfire smoke health |
| 277 | +information](https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/wildfire-smoke-health-information) |
| 278 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 279 | +{{< card_start title="HealthLink BC" logo="/assets/logo_BCID_HealthLinkBC_RGB_pos.png" >}} |
| 280 | +Learn and prepare for wildfires. Phone 8-1-1 for 24/7 health advice. |
| 281 | + |
| 282 | +[Wildfires and your |
| 283 | +health](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-library/health-features/wildfires-and-your-health) |
| 284 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 285 | +{{< card_start title="Worksafe BC" logo="/assets/logo_worksafebc.jpg" >}} |
| 286 | +Info on working outdoors during smoky conditions. |
| 287 | + |
| 288 | +[Wildfire |
| 289 | +FAQ](https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/wildfire-smoke-frequently-asked-questions-faq) |
| 290 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 291 | +::: |
| 292 | + |
| 293 | +## Contact |
| 294 | + |
| 295 | +**Media questions regarding air quality conditions related to this Air |
| 296 | +Quality Warning:** {{< card_start width="wide" >}} |
| 297 | + |
| 298 | +Gavin King`<br />`{=html}Senior Air Quality |
| 299 | +Meteorologist`<br />`{=html}Ministry of Environment and |
| 300 | +Parks`<br />`{=html}250-312-6798 |
| 301 | + |
| 302 | +{{< card_end >}} |
| 303 | + |
| 304 | +**Media questions regarding health implications of wildfire smoke:** |
| 305 | + |
| 306 | +{{< card_start width="wide" >}} |
| 307 | + |
| 308 | +First Nations Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Environmental Public Health |
| 309 | +Services or Main FNHA Line: 604-693-6500 `<br />`{=html}After Hours: |
| 310 | +1-844-666-0711`<br />`{=html}Email: |
| 311 | +Ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca`<br />`{=html}Media line: |
| 312 | +604-831-4898`<br />`{=html} |
| 313 | + |
| 314 | +Fraser Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Media Line: |
| 315 | +604-613-0794`<br />`{=html}Email: media@fraserhealth.ca`<br />`{=html} |
| 316 | + |
| 317 | +Interior Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Media line: |
| 318 | +1-844-469-7077`<br />`{=html}Email: |
| 319 | +media@interiorhealth.ca`<br />`{=html} |
| 320 | + |
| 321 | +Northern Health Authority`<br />`{=html}Media Line: |
| 322 | +1-877-961-7724`<br />`{=html}{{< card_end >}} |
| 323 | + |
| 324 | +## Regions included under this Air Quality Warning |
| 325 | + |
| 326 | +- **B.C. North Peace River:** includes the City of Fort St John and |
| 327 | + all communities along Hwy 97 extending from Farmington to Pink |
| 328 | + Mountain; Hwy 29 including Moberly Lake, Hudson's Hope; also |
| 329 | + includes Rolla, Clayhurst and Goodlow. |
| 330 | +- **B.C. South Peace River:** includes Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Pouce |
| 331 | + Coupe, and Tumbler Ridge. |
| 332 | +- **East Kootenay (South):** includes Kimberley, Cranbrook, Yahk, |
| 333 | + Moyie, Wasa Lake Provincial Park, Jaffray, Grasmere and Roosville. |
| 334 | +- **Fort Nelson:** includes Fort Nelson, Muskwa, Prophet River, |
| 335 | + Buckinghorse River, Sikanni Chief, and Hwy 77 north to the Yukon |
| 336 | + border. |
| 337 | +- **Fraser Canyon (North):** includes Lillooet and Andersen Lake. |
| 338 | +- **Fraser Canyon (South):** Trans Canada Hwy 1 from Lytton to Dogwood |
| 339 | + Valley. |
| 340 | +- **Kootenay Lake:** includes Creston and Kaslo. |
| 341 | +- **McGregor:** includes the northern end of the Robson Valley |
| 342 | + extending from Hansard to Dome Creek; extends north to Monkman Park. |
| 343 | +- **Prince George:** includes the City of Prince George, Hwy 16 |
| 344 | + Bednesti to Upper Fraser, and Hwy 97 Hixon to the south end of |
| 345 | + McLeod Lake. |
| 346 | +- **South Thompson:** Includes Kamloops, Rayleigh, Monte Creek, Cache |
| 347 | + Creek, Spences Bridge and Logan Lake. |
| 348 | +- **West Kootenay:** includes Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland. |
| 349 | +- **Williston:** includes McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and Williston Lake. |
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