Air quality warning in effect for wildfire smoke - July 21, 2026
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 across the Skeena region is expected to thin during the day but persist in valley bottoms overnight. In southern areas, smoke is forecasted to increase as winds from the south transport smoke across the border. These winds are forecasted to shift smoke eastward through the day.
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 July 22, 2026 and made available on the Province’s Air Quality Warnings webpage.
Actions you can take
For regions under yellow warnings
Exposure to smoke can affect your health. Postpone or reduce strenuous outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Spend time indoors in a space with cleaner air.
Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by smoke. This includes people with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, and anyone whose health is affected by a chronic condition or acute illness.
For regions under orange warnings
Exposure to high smoke levels can pose threat to your health regardless of age or health status. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Stay indoors in a space with cleaner air.
Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by smoke. This includes people with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, and anyone whose health is affected by a chronic condition or acute illness.
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, phlegm production, runny nose, headaches or 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 still be elevated indoors, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
When indoors, keep windows and doors closed. If it is hot, prioritize keeping cool.
Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Use a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles. Do-it-yourself air cleaners may also be used if other options are unavailable. For more details, see the BC Centre for Disease Control Do-it Yourself Air Cleaners fact sheet.
If your home is smoky or hot, spend time in places with cleaner, air conditioned air such as community centres, libraries, or malls.
If you must be outside, 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.
When in a vehicle, keep windows closed with the air flow (or air conditioning) set to recirculate.
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
Provincial Air Quality Map
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 questions regarding air quality conditions related to this Air Quality Warning:
Gavin King
Senior Air Quality Meteorologist
Ministry of Environment and Parks
250-312-6798
Media questions regarding health implications of wildfire smoke:
First Nations Health Authority
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
Fraser Health Authority
Media Line: 604-613-0794
Email: media@fraserhealth.ca
Interior Health Authority
Media line: 1-844-469-7077
Email: media@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health Authority
Media Line: 1-877-961-7724
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Email: media@vch.ca
After-hours media line: 604-202-2012
Regions included under this Air Quality Warning
- 100 Mile: includes Hwy 97 from 108 Mile House to Clinton, Bridge Lake and Canim Lake.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chilcotin: includes Hansville, Alexis Creek, Chilanko Forks, Tatla Lake, Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake, and the southern half of Tweedsmuir Park.
- East Kootenay (South): includes Kimberley, Cranbrook, Yahk, Moyie, Wasa Lake Provincial Park, Jaffray, Grasmere and Roosville.
- 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.
- Kootenay Lake: includes Creston and Kaslo.
- Lakes District: includes Houston, Topley, Burns Lake, and Endako.
- Manning - Skagit Valley: includes Sunshine Valley, Manning Park, and Eastgate.
- McGregor: includes the northern end of the Robson Valley extending from Hansard to Dome Creek; extends north to Monkman Park.
- 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.
- 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 Kootenay: includes Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland.
- Williston: includes McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and Williston Lake.