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. The next bulletin update will be available August 12, 2018.
The bulletin can be accessed online at:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/air/advisories/2018-08-11_smoky_skies_amended.pdf .
Be informed
During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.
Wildfire smoke is a natural par of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health.
People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
During smoky conditions
Follow your common sense
- Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes difficult 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 are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears.
- People with asthma or other chronic illness should activate the personal care plans they have 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 health care provider, walk-in clinic, or emergency department.
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Tips to reduce your exposure
- Smoke levels may be lower indoors but will still be elevated, so stay aware of your symptoms even when you are indoors.
- Running a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can improve indoor air quality in the room where the device is located.
- If you have a forced air heating/cooling system in your home, it may help to change the filter and set the fan to run continuously.
- Reduce indoor air pollution sources such as smoking, burning incense, and frying foods.
- Consider going to a library, community center, or shopping mall with cooler filtered air to get some relief from the smoke.
- If travelling in a car with air conditioning, keep the windows up and the ventilation set to recirculate.
- If you are very sensitive to smoke, consider moving to another location with cleaner air, but be aware that conditions can change rapidly.
- Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.
More information
For general information about wildfire smoke and your health, contact HealthLink
BC:
- Phone 8-1-1 (toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or
- Check the Wildfires and Your Health webpage at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/wildfires.
- The current Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and other air quality information is available at the BC Air Quality website, http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/aqhi-table.xml.
- Forecasts of smoke levels over the next 48 hours are available from the Environment and Climate Change Canada FireWork prediction system, https://weather.gc.ca/firework/indexe.html.
- If you need to work outdoors in smoky conditions, material can be found at the WorkSafe BC Wildfire FAQ website, https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/information-sheets/wildfire-smoke-frequently-asked-questions-faq.
- First Nations Health Authority:http://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/environmental-health/wildfire-information
- Interior Health Authority: For resources related to forest fire smoke exposure, air quality, food safety when the power is out and ensuring your drinking water is safe visit http://www.interiorhealth.ca (Environment Tab/Emergency Information).
Contact information
Media and public inquiries regarding air quality and this bulletin:
Gail Roth, Air Quality Meteorologist, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, 250-565-4210.
Media questions regarding health implications of wildfires:
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: 604-831-4898
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
Tiffany Akins, Communications Leader: tiffany.akins@vch.ca
After-hours media line: 604-202-2012
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Meribeth Burton, Media Relations: 250-519-1815
After-hours media line: 250-716-7750
Regions included under this bulletin:
Elk Valley includes Elko, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford
East Kootenay (North) includes Edgwater, Inveremere, Canal Flats and Skookumchuck
East Kootenay (South) includes Kimberley, Cranbrook, Yahk, Moyie, Wasa Lake Provincial Park, Jaffray, Grasmere and Roosville
Yoho - Kootenay Park includes Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
East Columbia includes Golden
West Columbia includes Revelstoke
Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake includes Slocan, New Denver, Nakusp, and Fauquier
West Kootenay includes Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland
Kootenay Lake includes Creston and Kaslo
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
North Thompson Includes Barriere, Clearwater and Vavenby.
South Thompson Includes Kamloops, Rayleigh, Monte Creek, Cache Creek, Spences Bridge and Logan Lake.
100 Mile includes Hwy 97 from 108 Mile House to Clinton, Bridge Lake and Canim Lake.
Shuswap Includes Salmon Arm, Sicamous, and Chase.
Nicola Includes Merritt, Strump Lake, Pennask Lake, and Brookmere.
North Columbia includes Blue River and McMurphy
North Okanagan includes Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Lavington and Lumby
Boundary includes Grand Forks, Midway and Greenwood
Similkameen includes Princeton
Williston includes McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and Williston Lake
McGregor includes the northern end of the Robson Valley extending from Hansard to Dome Creek; extends north to Monkmon Park
Prince George includes the City of Prince George, Hwy 16 Vanderhoof to Upper Fraser, and Hwy 97 Hixon to the south end of McLeod Lake.
Yellowhead includes McBride and Valemount and all communities within the southern half of the Robson Valley extending from Urling to Valemount and the northern half of Mount Robson Park
Kinbasket includes Kinbasket reservoir south of Valemount
Dease Lake
Bulkely Valley and Lakes District (northwest) includes Smithers, Telkwa, Fort St James and Granisle
Bulkley Valley and Lakes District (southeast) includes Burns Lake
Inland Vancouver Island includes Lake Cowichan, Nahmint, Port Alberni, central portions of Strathcona Park and Schoen Lake Provincial Park
East Vancouver Island (south) includes Duncan, Crofton, Ladysmith, Cedar, and Nanaimo
Central Coast (inland sections) includes Bella Coola, Hagensborg, Firvale, and Stuie
Central Coast (coastal sections) includes Bella Bella, Ocean Falls, and extends south to Jackson Bay
Central Okanagan includes Kelowna, West Kelowna and Peachland
South Okanagan includes Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, Keremeos, Oliver and Osoyoos