Smoky sky with sun peeking through and trees in the foreground

Wildfire smoke

What you need to know

Wildfire smoke can affect your health, even at low concentrations. When there is smoke in Vancouver, the best way to protect your health is to reduce your exposure on a daily basis.

Cleaner air space locations
How wildfire smoke affects your health
Protect yourself from wildfire smoke
Find translated resources
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Hot indoor air can be more dangerous than wildfire smoke. Prioritize keeping cool when the weather is hot and there is smoke. Learn more about staying safe during hot weather

Check on others frequently to ensure they are safe, especially older adults and vulnerable neighbours.

Cleaner air spaces

On smoky days, it’s important to reduce the amount of time breathing in wildfire smoke. When Metro Vancouver issues an air quality advisory, it is even more important to take steps.

One way to get relief from wildfire smoke is to spend time in spaces with air filtration. Cleaner air spaces at specific community centres and library branches have high levels of filtration and may be particularly suitable for people who are at higher risk of experiencing health effects.

Cleaner air spaces are available throughout the year during regular operating hours, and additional rooms are added when an air quality advisory is issued. You don't need to register, pay, or show identification to visit. Seating, water, and access to washrooms are available at these locations.

You can also visit an air-conditioned space in your community such as a city-operated cooling centre, shopping mall, or neighbourhood organization.

Map of cleaner air space locations

Cleaner air space

Cleaner air room added during air quality advisories

Additional resources may be added. Check back regularly for updates.

Last updated: July 26, 2024.

Download the map (1.8 MB)

List of locations

Cleaner air space locations
Carnegie Community Centre 401 Main St
Creekside Community Centre 1 Athletes Way
Evelyne Saller Centre 404 Alexander St
Gathering Place 609 Helmcken St
Hillcrest Centre 4575 Clancy Loranger Way
Mount Pleasant Community Centre 1 Kingsway
West End Community Centre 870 Denman St
VPL – Britannia 1661 Napier St
VPL - Central Library 350 W Georgia St
VPL – Joe Fortes 870 Denman St
VPL – Kerrisdale 2112 W 42^nd Ave
VPL – Mount Pleasant 1 Kingsway
VPL – Renfrew 2969 E 22^nd Ave
VPL – Terry Salman 4575 Clancy Loranger Way

Review hours for the Vancouver Public Library branches

How wildfire smoke affects your health

Wildfire smoke contains small particles that can cause mild to severe health effects when inhaled. Even at low concentrations, wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health.

You may experience symptoms, especially if you are exposed for a long time or if you breathe in a lot of smoky air. Learn more about health impacts and symptoms . If you need health advice, call 8-1-1.

Check on others frequently to ensure they are safe, especially older adults and vulnerable neighbours.

Individuals who are more vulnerable
- People with chronic health conditions, such as:
  - Asthma
  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  - Heart disease
  - Diabetes
- People who are pregnant
- Older adults
- Infants and small children
- People who have been diagnosed with a respiratory infection
Individuals who are more exposed
- People who are experiencing homelessness or are under-housed
- People who live in spaces without mechanical ventilation, air filtration systems, or portable air cleaners
- People who work or are active outdoors
Common symptoms
People respond differently to smoke. Mild irritation and discomfort are common and usually disappear when the smoke clears.

These symptoms are signs to reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke and can generally be managed without medical attention:
- Eye irritation
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Mild cough
- Phlegm production
- Wheezy breathing
Listen to your body and reduce your exposure if the smoke is affecting you.
Severe symptoms
Connect with your health care provider, call 8-1-1 for health advice, or visit a walk-in clinic if you experience these symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Severe cough
Learn more about symptoms

Protect yourself from wildfire smoke

Everyone can take action to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke. Reducing exposure to wildfire smoke on a daily basis is the best way to protect your health.

Self care
- Make a plan for how you will protect yourself from wildfire smoke, including:
  - How you will spend time in cleaner air
  - What supplies you need
  - Whether you need rescue medications for a pre-existing condition
- Drink plenty of water to help reduce some common symptoms.
- If you use rescue medications, always carry them with you and keep a supply at home.
- If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, reach out for support. Contact your health care provider or phone HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to find resources. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, contact 7-1-1 instead. Translation services are available.
At home
- If your space is not too hot, close your doors and windows. Being too hot is riskier than breathing in smoke for most people. Learn more about staying safe during hot weather
- Avoid frying foods, vacuuming, burning candles and incense, and smoking indoors.
- Use portable or homemade air cleaners (4.9 MB) to filter indoor air in one or more rooms.
- If your home is too smoky or hot, spend some time in an indoor space with cleaner air.
- Visit spaces with air filtration or air conditioning, like a friend’s home or public spaces like a shopping mall, cleaner air space, or city-operated cooling centre.
Outside
- Use the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) updated by Metro Vancouver to see current air quality conditions and make decisions about your outdoor activities. Air quality can change throughout the day, so check the AQHI and health messaging often.
- Postpone or limit outdoor activities that make you breathe harder, especially if you are experiencing symptoms. If you must be outdoors, learn about the risks and how to minimize the health impact of wildfire smoke (6.8 MB) .
- Consider wearing a 3-layer mask for moderate protection, or a N95 respirator for higher protection. Make sure your mask is the right size and shape for your face (698 KB) .
- Take breaks and go indoors, especially if you feel you need relief from wildfire smoke. We operate cleaner air spaces and cooling centres throughout the summer.

Translated and partner resources

Review and share translated resources to help you and your family, neighbours, community, and tenants stay safe during smoky days.

DIY air cleaner

Measurements drawn on cardboard for a DIY air cleaner

To help seniors and low-income residents filter the air in their homes, we partnered with the Pacific Institute for Pathogens, Pandemics and Society, and the BC Lung Foundation to build and distribute Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air cleaners.

Since 2023, more than 230 air cleaners have been built and sent home with people who need them.

Learn how to make your own DIY air cleaner (4.9 MB)