When Will the Smoke in Vancouver Clear?
Although there has been sunshine and high temperatures in Vancouver this week, unfortunately the region has been under a shroud of wildfire smoke causing the air quality to plummet. We’ve put together some resources from the Government of BC and Metro Vancouver Regional District pertaining to the smoke and air quality warnings:
Why is there Smoke in Vancouver?
Wildfires contributing to smoke in the region include fires north of Whistler, east of Hope, and a large complex of fires in the Cariboo region, in addition to fires in Washington State. Smoke concentrations are expected to vary across the region today as winds, temperatures, and wildfire behaviour changes. At times, air quality in some areas may be better than others [source].
Metro Vancouver Air Quality
Metro Vancouver Regional District is continuing an Air Quality Warning due to elevated fine particulate matter (small particles in the air that may impact health). This warning began on September 3 and is expected to last until there is a change in weather.
- Air Quality Warnings for Multiple Regions in BC
- Metro Vancouver Specific Air Quality Warnings and Advisories
When Will the Smoke in Vancouver Clear?
As of this afternoon’s update from the BC Government, we are still in for at least 24-48 hours of smoke hanging over the region. Metro Vancouver Regional District says the forecast for smoke on Saturday is still high.
For the latest air quality readings in your community, visit this Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) map for BC. Note, Vancouver’s status is updated by Metro Vancouver Regional District, see their map.
Additional Air Quality Maps
The AQHI provides an hourly rating of air quality based on the health risk from a mixture of 3 air pollutants:
- Particulate matter (PM2.5)
- Ground-level ozone (O3)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
The rating for the AQHI is based on the combination of the health risks from each of the pollutants in the index. This method differs from the older Air Quality Index (AQI), which determined air quality based on the highest value of only one pollutant.
Tips for During Air Quality Warnings
- 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.
- Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
Monitor the situation for any wildfires near your area through EmergencyInfoBC. Follow all emergency announcements relevant to your location. Follow Metro Vancouver on Facebook for general updates and advisories.
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