Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality: Outdoor Safety in Western Canada
Western Canada is seeing more frequent and severe air quality alerts due to increased wildfire smoke exposure. If you’re exposed to prolonged smoke inhalation, your health may be at risk.
This highlights how important it is to proactively protect yourself from these dangers and prepare for wildfire emergencies. Use this guide to learn more about air quality alerts, safety measures you can take, and essential equipment to help you get through the wildfire season safely.
What Triggers Air Quality Alerts in Canada?
Environment Canada triggers air quality alerts for local residents when the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches dangerous levels. Wildfires are primary triggers due to the presence of carbon monoxide, PM2.5 particles (inhalable particles of solids and aerosols), and other toxins in wildfire smoke.
Air quality can be impacted by local fires or smoke transport from distant fires. Urban areas and valleys are especially susceptible, as weather patterns can concentrate smoke in these locations.
Wildfire prevention through fuel management can reduce alert frequency. Still, once an alert is issued, it’s critical to understand what it means and take action to protect your health if necessary.
Understanding Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) uses a simple 1-10 scale to measure health risk, with 10 being the highest possible risk. Ratings of 1-3 represent low risk, while 4-6 represent moderate risk, 7-10 represent high risk, and 10+ represent very high risk.
The AQHI uses data from ozone, PM2.5, and nitrogen dioxide levels in the air to determine risk.
Environment Canada’s health recommendations vary by risk category:
Low Risk: Enjoy normal outdoor activities.
Moderate Risk: At-risk populations should consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities if they experience symptoms, while the general population doesn’t need to modify activities unless they experience symptoms such as throat irritation or cough.
High Risk: At-risk populations, including children and the elderly, should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. The general population should consider reducing these activities if experiencing symptoms.
Very High Risk: At-risk populations, including children and the elderly, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. The general population should reduce or reschedule any strenuous outdoor activities, especially if symptoms are present.
Scale of the Wildfire Season Across Canada
Natural Resources Canada reports about 7,300 annual forest fires in Canada over the last 25 years, while numbers from the Canadian National Fire Database are even higher. That results in around 2.1 million hectares of land burned each year.
The areas most impacted by these fires are the Western provinces and territories, especially the Prairie provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Climate change has extended the fire season length. Since 1959, wildfire season has become about two weeks longer. It’s starting earlier, going later, and becoming harder to contain.
Given this extreme scale and intensity, wildfire survival skills are essential if you live in Canada, especially those in the Prairie provinces.
Protective Actions & Emergency Preparedness
You can take practical steps to protect your indoor spaces from toxic air during Canada’s wildfire season. You should also consider emergency evacuation, comfort, and backup power during wildfire-related outages.
Indoor Air Protection
Start by sealing any gaps around doors or windows. Use HEPA air purifiers in main living spaces, and change the filters frequently. You can also designate an indoor “clean room” with minimal outdoor air exchange, such as an interior room without windows or doors.
Power Backup and Solar Charging
Power backup solutions can also be a big help. If the power goes out due to a wildfire, you can use the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus, a high-capacity portable power station, for home backup. It can keep your air purifiers running and keep you safe indoors.
Another option for more extended outages is the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus + 160W Solar Panel, which can use sunlight to create continuous output.
Climate Control
Indoor climate control is key. Smoke events make outdoor air unsafe, so keeping your indoor area as safe and comfortable as possible will allow you to remain inside and away from the toxins. If the grid goes out, using the EcoFlow Wave 3 as a battery-powered backup air conditioner can maintain a cool temperature during smoke events.
Go-Bag Essentials
Anyone living in a wildfire-prone area should have a go-bag ready at the start of each wildfire season. Check it every year to refresh expired items. Your go bag should contain:
Vital documents in a waterproof, fireproof container
A 72-hour supply of clean drinking water and non-perishable food
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Flashlights and extra batteries
Cash, credit cards, and personal identification copies
Change of clothes
Personal hygiene items
Baby and pet supplies, if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Can Wildfire Smoke Travel?
Wildfire smoke can travel thousands of kilometres from its source. High-altitude winds are even capable of carrying smoke across continents. Weather patterns are responsible for the concentration and direction of smoke travel, and temperature inversions can trap smoke close to the ground in valleys and urban areas.
Why Is There So Much Wildfire Smoke in Canada?
Climate change is creating drier and hotter conditions, extending fire seasons due to earlier snowmelt, and exacerbating already arid areas. Even lightning strikes can ignite fires, and if this happens in remote areas, it can be a while before the fire is identified. Unintentional human activities near populated areas and arsonists can also create fires.
Final Thoughts
As wildfire smoke exposure continues to increase across Western Canada, it becomes more important to proactively prepare for the wildfire season to protect your health and safety. Controlling indoor air quality is a strong primary defence strategy.
Close off your home to gaps from the outside, opt for portable AC units like the EcoFlow Wave 3 that don’t pull in air from outdoors, and know when the risk is severe enough to evacuate.