Wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke contains very small particles of pollution – known as particulate matter or PM2.5 – that travel deep into your lungs when you inhale. Some may enter the bloodstream, and these particles can cause irritation and inflammation throughout the body. This can have both short-term and longer-lasting health impacts.

Wildfire smoke symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Phlegm production
• Wheezy breathing
• Headaches

Severe wildfire smoke symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Severe cough
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations

Some people may experience more severe symptoms and should seek prompt medical attention. Less severe symptoms can be managed without medical attention but should be monitored closely. Call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or seek health care promptly if you're experiencing severe symptoms. 

Different people respond differently to smoke, and some people are at higher risk of experiencing health effects. Reducing exposure to wildfire smoke is especially important for the following groups of people:

• People with pre-existing chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and diabetes
• People who are pregnant
• Infants and young children
• Older adults
• People with a current or recent respiratory infection

Other people can be affected by wildfire smoke, too. Everyone responds differently, so listen to your body and reduce your exposure if the smoke is affecting you.

Reduce everyone’s exposure to wildfire smoke

• Use a portable HEPA air cleaner to filter the air in one or more rooms at home. Keep windows and doors closed but ensure the space does not get too hot.
• If a HEPA air cleaner is not available, consider making a homemade box fan air filter..
• Visit public spaces such as community centres, libraries, and shopping malls which tend to have cleaner, cooler indoor air.
• Limit activity and outdoor exercise on smoky days because the harder you breathe, the more smoke you inhale. Take it easy and take frequent breaks if outdoor activities cannot be avoided. 
• If outdoor activities cannot be avoided, consider wearing a high-quality and well-fitting mask: a respirator with a rating such as N95, KB95, or KF94. This can help reduce the amount of small particles in wildfire smoke that you breathe in. Wearing a mask can make breathing more difficult, so always pay attention to how you are feeling and reduce or stop your activities if you feel unwell.
• Whenever possible, use cooling options such as air conditioning, heat pumps, evaporative coolers, and interior and exterior window shades to keep your cleaner air space comfortably cool on hot days. Overheating can cause serious health problems. Heat is a bigger health concern for most people. Learn more about heat and health here.
• If you have a chronic health condition, work with your health care providers to create a health management plan for smoky conditions. If you use rescue medications, make sure that you have an ample supply at home and carry them with you at all times during the wildfire season.

Protect others in the community

• Have a smoke readiness plan for buildings to help protect occupants. Plans may include actions to limit smoke entry into buildings and upgrading or adding supplemental air filtration during smoky periods.
• If you care for groups of children, or other people at higher risk, or plan outdoor events, ensure that your organization has a smoke contingency plan supported by public health guidelines.
• Special measures to protect outdoor workers and people who are unhoused are recommended. Employers can assign alternate duties indoors, and/or provide high-quality masks and frequent breaks for outdoor workers. Support workers to monitor for symptoms and discontinue outdoor work if needed. Where feasible, community spaces are encouraged to relax policies and allow people to shelter inside.

Keep updated on air quality information

• Check your current local air quality often. Air quality can change throughout the day and by location. To learn how to do this, see the sections below titled “How to check your local smoke conditions” and “Air quality maps in our region”. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) forecast can also help you plan ahead.  
• Subscribe to air quality advisories and alerts for your region. See the section below titled “Air quality advisories and bulletins.” Air quality advisories will also be available on various weather apps and websites including the WeatherCan app and The Weather Network app and website. 

1. Check your local air quality data: Check the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) air quality map Locations of air quality sensors are indicated by coloured dots on the map; users can find their community on the map and the closest sensors. Note the colour of the sensor, and the number displayed on it. 
2. Look at the Air Quality Health Index tool (below) and use the number/colour to find the AQHI risk category: low, moderate, high or very high.  Use the AQHI to decide if you should change your plans for the day.
3. Look above to learn what actions to take to protect yourself and others from wildfire smoke.
4. Check the air quality and AQHI often. Air quality can change throughout the day.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a tool designed to help people understand how air quality can affect their health, and how they can protect themselves when air quality is poor. Learn more about how the index is calculated from this BCCDC Fact Sheet. 

The AQHI forecast found here can help you plan for tomorrow. View the AQHI index values chart.

Measurements of fine particulate mater (PM2.5)are typically used to monitor wildfire smoke. This is because PM2.5 is the air pollutant most consistently elevated by wildfire smoke, has known health impacts, and is measured by networks of government monitors. Data from these government monitors can be found here on the BC government site and here on the Metro Vancouver site.

Many Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) communities don’t have government air quality monitoring stations to measure PM2.5. VCH works with partner community organizations to install portable air quality sensors for PM2.5 with a focus on rural, remote, and smaller communities that would otherwise have limited access to local air quality data. (Learn more about this VCH project, AQ-CARE.) Click here for a map displaying PM2.5 data from both portable and government air quality monitors. Note that this map does not include all health-harming air pollutants that may lead to an air quality advisory, but does provide a good indication of wildfire smoke conditions.  

Watch for these air quality notifications issued in the VCH region:

Within Metro Vancouver

An Air Quality Advisory is issued by Metro Vancouver when air quality over a large area of the region worsens, or is expected to worsen soon. 

Outside of Metro Vancouver

A Smoky Skies Bulletin is issued by BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy when areas of the province are being impacted may be impacted by wildfire smoke within 24 to 48 hours.

Visit this Metro Vancouver website to learn more about the types of advisories that are issued when the air gets smoky, how to know if there is smoke in the air, and how to stay up-to-date:

Metro Vancouver - Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality 

Visit VCH Air Quality topic page
Visit VCH Climate Change and Health main page