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Air quality warning ended for Golden - open burning restrictions remain in effect - November 6, 2026

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The Ministry of Environment and Parks in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority has ended the Air Quality Warning that was issued on November 05, 2026 for Golden due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter.

Local air quality has improved due to changing meteorological conditions and/or decreased local emissions.

Open burning restrictions remain in effect within Golden and Invermere Timber Supply Areas. No new fires may be initiated, and no additional material may be added to existing fires. For more information on burning restrictions, refer to the Mandatory Emission Reduction Actions section below.

Mandatory emission reduction actions

NOTICE of DIRECTOR under s.30 Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation:

As pollution is occurring or is likely to occur from open burning, pursuant to Sections 30(1) and 30(2) of the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, the Director has prohibited open burning within Golden and Invermere Timber Supply Areas until November 07, 2026 4:00 PM local time. No vegetative debris may be ignited or added to ignited piles. Contravention of these provisions may be subject to a fine under the Regulation.

Date issued: November 06, 2026
Benjamin Weinstein
For Director, Environmental Management Act
Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Branch

More information

Current conditions

The provincial air quality objective for PM2.5 is 25 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) averaged over 24 hours. 24-hour average PM2.5 concentrations are summarized below for Golden and nearest monitored communities at 10:00 AM local time today:

Community Golden Castlegar Cranbrook Elkford Sparwood
24-hr average (μg/m3) 14.1 21.3 10.8 7.9 7.4

Visit the provincial air quality data webpage for real-time observations.

Contact

Media questions regarding this Air Quality Warning:

Nealan Gerrebos
Air Quality Meteorologist
Ministry of Environment and Parks
236-468-2247

Media questions regarding health implications when air quality is degraded:

Interior Health Authority
Media line: 1-844-469-7077
Email: media@interiorhealth.ca