Interior Health air quality warning guidance

September 3, 2025

People throughout the Interior are reminded to stay safe from the impacts of poor air quality due to wildfire smoke in the region. The Province of British Columbia has issued air quality warnings for multiple areas across Interior Health. 

Those with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes, as well as pregnant women, infants and young children are most affected by wildfire smoke.  

The best way to protect your health from wildfire smoke is to reduce your exposure to smoke and seek cleaner air. 

Learn more about health in smoky conditions with Deputy Chief, Medical Health Officer, Dr. Sue Pollock.  

During smoky conditions: 

  • Stay indoors: Reduce time spent outside to protect your health. 
  • Consider wearing a well-fitted respirator if you cannot access cleaner air: Use a well fitted respirator (e.g., N95, KN95) to reduce exposure to particulate matter in smoke. 
  • Activate medical management plans: Ensure your plan to self-manage any chronic diseases (e.g., respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) is in place and up-to-date, and that adequate rescue medications are available. 
  • Use a home clean air shelter: Spend time in a room in your home with a portable air cleaner with HEPA filtration to reduce smoke exposure. If you do not have access to this at home, you can find a location in your local community to take shelter in such as your community recreation centre or public library during periods of poor air quality.  

Wildfire smoke and your mental health 

Smoky skies can affect us physically and also make us feel anxious and stressed. There are actions we can take to help improve and manage our mental wellness through these stressful times. 

  • Manage stress: Use stress-relief techniques such as meditation or focusing on a creative outlet (e.g., journaling and art). 
  • Tap into social networks: Having conversations and spending time with people closest to us is especially important during emergencies and disasters. 
  • Take care: Eat well, exercise indoors, drink lots of water and get enough sleep. 
  • Help others: Assisting others can help us regain a sense of purpose and community as we confront challenges together. The Emergency Support Services Program welcomes and relies on volunteers to coordinate support services for people forced from their homes in an emergency.

Resources 

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