Metro Vancouver has issued a yellow air quality warning for the North Shore and other parts of the region due to elevated fine particulate matter, according to the news release from Metro Vancouver.
According to the news release, wildfire smoke — including from the Brunswick Complex wildfire near Boston Bar and fires in the southern Interior — has pushed particulate levels up across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. In the region’s eastern areas, hot, sunny weather and local emissions are also driving up ground-level ozone. Smoke levels can shift quickly with weather and fire behaviour, but conditions are expected to improve by the weekend as the weather changes.
The North Shore falls under the Northwest zone, along with Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, where fine particulate matter is the primary concern. Other affected zones include Richmond, Delta and Tsawwassen in the southwest; the Tri-Cities, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge in the northeast; Surrey, Langley and White Rock in the southeast; and Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope in the Fraser Valley, where both particulate matter and ozone are elevated.
The yellow warning signals a high health risk. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity and reduce its duration and intensity. The release notes that those most at risk include people with lung, heart or other chronic conditions, pregnant people, infants, children, older adults and outdoor workers, and it urges residents to check in on others who may be more affected.
Recommended precautions include using HEPA or box fan air cleaners, installing MERV 13-rated filters in homes with built-in ventilation, and keeping windows and doors closed while filtering indoor air. Those with smoky or overheated homes are encouraged to seek out air-conditioned spaces such as community centres, libraries or malls.
According to the news release, residents should seek medical attention for severe symptoms such as wheezing, chest pain, trouble breathing or severe cough, and call 911 in emergencies. People with chronic conditions are advised to carry rescue medications. If outdoor exposure is unavoidable, a well-fitted N95, KN95 or KF94 mask offers the best protection.
The release advises checking the Air Quality Health Index throughout the day, as conditions can change quickly. Metro Vancouver has aligned its warning system with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
