Wildfire

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires and wildfire smoke in British Columbia. The following information is provided to help reduce your personal health risk.

Before a wildfire

Reduce your risk of smoke exposure

• Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• Smoke levels may be lower indoors; however, levels of smoke particles will also increase indoors during times of increased wildfire smoke. Consider a commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) cleaner that can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.
• If necessary, home-made box fan air cleaners can be used to create a cleaner indoor air space, based on instructions and safety advice from the BCCDC.
• Air cleaning works best when windows and doors are closed.
• Reduce indoor pollution sources, such as smoking.
• Pay attention to local air quality reports – air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.
• Face masks can provide some protection from wildfire smoke. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations of mask use in such situations – please visit this BCCDC fact sheet for more.

During a wildfire

Wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can affect people differently depending on health, age and exposure. 
Common symptoms include:

• Eye irritation
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Mild cough
• Phlegm 
• Wheezy breathing
• Headaches

Symptoms are usually mild and improve as air quality improves. Infants, children, pregnant people, olderadults and those with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive.

If you experience severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or heart palpitations, contact your health-care provider, or seek emergency care. For free health information and advice, contact HealthLink BC (8-1-1)

Air quality conditions

For the most up-to-date air quality conditions and health advisories, visit B.C. air quality warnings and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). 

For wildfire smoke and weather forecasts, visit FireSmoke Canada. 

For more information on air quality monitoring tools and indoor/outdoor air quality visit the Air Quality webpage.

Reduce your risk of smoke exposure

• Reduce or stop outdoor activity if breathing becomes uncomfortable.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• Use HEPA air cleaners where possible.
• Use box fan air cleaners following instructions and safety advice from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
• Keep windows and doors closed when cleaning indoor air. For smoke and extreme heat events taking place at the same time, see below for guidance.
• Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking.
• Monitor local air quality reports.
• Be aware of the limitations of face masks to protect against smoke; refer to this BCCDC fact sheet.
• Guidance for schools and childcare settings: Wildfire Smoke and Schools/Childcare.

For additional information on wildfire smoke, indoor air cleaning, respirators, and air quality monitoring, view Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke.

Dual smoke and extreme heat events

• Extreme heat can pose a greater immediate health risk than smoke exposure. When smoke and heat occur together, focus on staying cool. Seek cooler, cleaner indoor air where possible, keep windows closed and use air conditioning if available.
• For more information on Heat Safety please visit the Heat Safety webpage

Learn more: Wildfire smoke 101: Combined wildfire smoke and heat

After a wildfire

Returning home after a wildfire 

• Returning to Your Home After Wildfires – Information on re-entering your home safely, insurance, drinking water, detailed guide on restoring your home, air quality
• Disaster recovery information for the public (gov.bc.ca) – Food and water safety, cleaning and repairs, insurance claims, psychological care
• BC Guidance for Owners of Property Impacted by Wildfire Contaminants (gov.bc.ca) – Guidance on potential health risks and managing contamination at a property impacted by wildfire

Wildfire impacts on water systems 

Community Water Supply

If you receive your drinking water from a community water supply system, be sure to follow any water quality advisories that are in place, including: 

• Boil water notices 
• “Do not consume” advisories 
• “Do not use” advisories

You may need to find other sources of drinking water while the water supplier resolves any issues and restores water that is safe to drink. 

Visit our Current Drinking Water Notices webpage, your water supplier’s webpage or contact your supplier directly if you are unsure of the status of the drinking water supply.

Private Water Supply 

If you have your own groundwater well or surface water source, you are responsible for ensuring the water is safe for drinking, cooking and household sanitation. 

B.C. landlords have a legal requirement to provide tenants with a safe drinking water supply. Potential wildfire hazards should be assessed and tenants should be kept informed on water quality issues.

If you have concerns that your water source has been impacted, use an alternate source of drinking water while you assess the situation.

Below are some provincial resources that may help determine the safety of your water supply upon return:

• HealthLink BC's webpage - Wildfire: Its effects on drinking water quality – Information outlining how wildfires can impact your water source, what you can do to assess your water quality and recommended steps to take.
• Government of BC – Water Quality - Fire Retardants Used to Fight Wildfires – Information on the use and impacts of fire retardants to fight wildfires in B.C.
• BCCDC – Health and safety around fire retardants/suppressants – Water quality and garden safety information on fire retardants used to fight wildfires in B.C.

Contact your local Environmental Public Health office if you have further questions.

Wildfire Impacts on food safety 

• Food safety after a power outage – Basic food safety information for homeowners, outlining which foods to throw out and which to keep.
• If your refrigerator or freezer is damaged and not working contact your insurance company about coverage as an eligible expense, and your band or local government about safe disposal.
• If your refrigerator or freezer is NOT damaged and continues to work, take additional steps to clean it.

For more information visit the  Food Safety webpage

Wildfire impacts on mental health 

Wildfires can be stressful and affect your emotional well-being. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to friends, family or mental health supports.

• Mental Health & Substance Use Services

*Please avoid using Microsoft Edge for any BCCDC resources downloads below. 

Wildfire resources

• Resources and supports for Indigenous Peoples
• Health Emergency Management BC, First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation British Columbia and Island Health Wildfire Information for Community Health Partners and Local Governments
• Wildfire Smoke and Health
• Wildfire Smoke and Schools/Childcare
• Wildfire Smoke and Community Care Facilities