When the Air Turns Hazardous: Protecting Families During Canada’s 2025 Wildfire Smoke Crisis

/ Delta Emergency Support Training/

Wildfire season in Canada has been worsened by heat, dry conditions, and climate change—with over 1,985 active firesburning nearly 3.9 million hectares as of June 16, 2025. The result? Widespread "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" air across provinces and even beyond—affecting children, people with respiratory conditions, seniors, and other vulnerable groups.

Understanding Canada’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

In Canada, we don’t use the U.S.-style AQI. Instead, we use the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to tell us how the air we breathe affects our health on a scale from 1 to 10+, with higher numbers indicating greater health risks.

How the AQHI Works

AQHI ValueHealth RiskAt-Risk PopulationGeneral Population1–3LowIdeal conditions for outdoor activities.Ideal conditions for outdoor activities.4–6ModerateConsider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors.No need to modify usual activities unless symptoms occur.7–10HighReduce or avoid strenuous activities outdoors.Consider reducing strenuous outdoor activity.10+Very HighAvoid all physical outdoor activity. Stay indoors.Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activity.

At-Risk Populations include:

  • Children and infants

  • Seniors

  • People with asthma, heart conditions, or other chronic illnesses

  • Pregnant individuals

🌫️ What Does This Mean for Families?

  • 1–3 (Low): Great time for park visits, walks, or outdoor play.

  • 4–6 (Moderate): Children and people with asthma should limit high-energy outdoor activities.

  • 7–10 (High): Everyone—especially vulnerable groups—should stay indoors and use air filtration.

  • 10+ (Very High): Outdoor exposure can cause serious health effects. Stay inside, seal your home, and consider relocating temporarily if the smoke persists.

📲 Where to Check AQHI

Stay informed using trusted Canadian sources:

  • 🔗 Environment Canada – AQHI Main Page

  • 🔗 AQHI by Province (select your region)

  • Mobile Apps: WeatherCAN, AQHI Canada, or your local weather app

🌫️ Why Wildfire Smoke is Dangerous

  1. Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5):

    • These tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

    • In 2025, several areas recorded PM2.5 levels over 150 µg/m³—more than 6x the WHO's safe 24-hour limit.

    • US studies confirm that smoke PM2.5 from wildfires can be up to 10x more harmful than typical pollution.

  2. Health Effects:
    Exposure can cause:

    • Immediate symptoms: coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, chest tightness.

    • Aggravation of asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and heart disease.

    • Long-term risks: strokes, heart attacks, developmental issues in children, pregnancy complications.

  3. Canada’s Sharp Increase:

    • In Prairie provinces, air quality reached “Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy” levels in early.

    • Cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal had some of the worst AQIs globally during June 5–6.

👶 Who’s Most at Risk?

  • Infants and young children with developing lungs.

  • Seniors, particularly those with cardiovascular/respiratory conditions.

  • Individuals with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or compromised immunity.

  • Pregnant women - smoke exposure has been linked to preterm births.

  • Those in low-income or remote communities with limited access to clean air resources.

🛡️ How to Protect Your Family

1. Stay Inside & Seal Your Home

  • Keep doors and windows closed; run HVAC on recirculation.

  • Create a DIY clean room by sealing off one area and running a HEPA filter air purifier.

2. Limit Outdoor Exposure

  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

  • For necessary outdoor time, wear a properly fitted N95 mask—cloth masks don't protect against PM2.5

3. Monitor Air Quality

  • Use apps or websites like FireSmoke.ca, AirNow, or AQI.in.

  • Follow local advisories—on very poor days, avoid outdoor time completely

4. Stay Hydrated & Medically Prepared

  • Children and older adults should drink water regularly.

  • Keep inhalers, medications, and emergency contacts handy.

5. Safe Indoor Air Strategies

  • Continue using air purifiers, keep HVAC maintenance current, and avoid indoor activities that pollute air (like smoking or burning candles).

6. Know the Signs of Smoke-Related Illness

Be alert for:

  • Persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath

  • Chest pain, dizziness, fatigue

  • Severe symptoms like bluish lips, confusion, or altered consciousness – seek medical help immediately.

7. When to Seek Help

Call emergency services if someone experiences:

  • Trouble breathing or chest pain

  • Severe allergic reactions (e.g. from ash or irritants)

  • Symptoms of stroke or heart attack

✅ Bonus Tips for Parents & Caregivers

  • Plan indoor activities: crafts, reading, games on high-risk days.

  • Reduce exposure to dust and pollen indoors—vacuum with HEPA filters.

  • If possible, relocate temporarily to cleaner-air areas.

  • Educate older children about the importance of masks and staying indoors.

Final Takeaway

The 2025 wildfire season has shown us air quality can deteriorate rapidly—even hundreds of kilometers away from the flames. For vulnerable families, proactive planning saves lives.

By staying informed and implementing air protection measures, you can shield your loved ones from the hidden threat of wildfire smoke.