Air Quality Warning - Wildfire Smoke - June 22, 2025
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.
Smoke may be visible across the northeast and central regions of the province.
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 June 23, 2025 and made available on the Province’s Air Quality Warnings webpage.
Actions you can take
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.
During smoky conditions
Follow your common sense
Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
Carry any rescue medications with you at all times.
Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves follow the same advice.
Monitor your symptoms
Different people have different responses to smoke.
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.
More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.
People with asthma or other chronic illness should follow any personal care plans designed with their family physicians.
If you are unsure whether you need medical care, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
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.
Tips to reduce your smoke exposure
Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
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.
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.
Check on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.
Always follow guidance from local authorities.
More information
For additional general information about wildfire smoke and air quality:
Air Quality Health Index
Environment and Climate Change Canada FireWork
Metro Vancouver Air Quality
For additional general information about wildfire smoke and your health:
Interior Health Authority
First Nations Health Authority
HealthLink BC
Contact
Media and public inquiries regarding air quality and the Air Quality Warning for wildfire smoke:
Air Quality Meteorologist
Ministry of Environment and Parks
604-558-9508
Media questions regarding health implications of wildfires:
Environmental Public Health Services or Main FNHA Line: 604-693-6500
After Hours: 1-844-666-0711
Email: Ephs.afterhours@fnha.ca
Media line: 604-831-4898
Interior Health Authority
Media line: 1-844-469-7077
Email: media@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health Authority
Media Line: 1-877-961-7724
Regions included under this Air Quality Warning
- 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.
- Bulkley Valley: includes Hazelton, Smithers, Telkwa, and Granisle.
- Cariboo (North): includes Quesnel, Wells and Bowron Lake Park.
- Cariboo (South): includes Williams Lake, Northern and Central sections of Wells Gray Park.
- Fort Nelson: includes Fort Nelson, Muskwa, Prophet River, Buckinghorse River, Sikanni Chief, and Hwy 77 north to the Yukon border.
- Lakes District: includes Houston, Topley, Burns Lake, and Endako.
- North Coast - Inland Sections: includes Kitimat.
- North Coast Inland (South): includes Terrace.
- 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.
- Stuart - Nechako: includes Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser, Vanderhoof, Fort St James, and Tachie.
- Williston: includes McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and Williston Lake.