| Air Quality Warning: Fine Particulate Matter and Ground-Level Ozone in Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver | Air Quality Warning: Fine Particulate Matter and Ground-Level Ozone in Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver | | <div class="ExternalClassBD927678F1944F25B071A05F11E52B46"><p>Metro Vancouver Regional District has issued a yellow air quality warning due to elevated <strong>ground-level ozone</strong> (smog) and <strong>fine particulate matter</strong> (PM<sub>2.5</sub>). Conditions may last until there is a change in the weather.<br></p><p><strong>Cause:</strong> Hot and sunny weather and the presence of wildfire smoke has increased <strong>ground-level ozone</strong> (smog) concentrations in Northeast/Southeast Metro Vancouver and Central/Eastern Fraser Valley.</p><p>Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia, including the Brunswick Complex near Boston Bar and wildfires in the southern Interior, have increased <strong>fine particulate matter </strong>(PM2.5) concentrations in the Eastern Fraser Valley.</p><p>Smoke levels can change quickly with weather and fire behaviour.<br></p><div><strong style="background-color:#ffff00;">Yellow Air Quality Warning in Effect (High Health Risk)</strong></div><div><br></div><p><strong>Limit outdoor activity. Reduce activity duration and intensity.</strong></p><div>Where:<br></div><div><br></div><div>Metro Vancouver<br></div><div><ul><li>Northeast – Tri-Cities, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge (ground-level ozone)<br></li><li>Southeast – Surrey, Langley, White Rock (ground-level ozone)<br></li></ul></div><div>Fraser Valley<br></div><div><ul><li>Central – Abbotsford, Mission (ground-level ozone)<br></li><li>Eastern – Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope (ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter)<br></li></ul></div><div><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:374.667px;"><p><strong>What you can do:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Check in on others</strong> who may be more affected. People at higher risk include those with lung, heart or other chronic conditions, pregnant people, infants, children, older adults, and outdoor workers.<br><br></li><li><strong>Improve indoor air quality.</strong> Use portable HEPA air cleaners or do-it-yourself box fan air cleaners. If your home has a built-in ventilation system, install filters rated MERV 13 or higher to remove smoke. If possible, adjust the ventilation system to reduce smoke coming indoors.<br><br></li><li><strong>Keep windows and doors closed while running air filtration.</strong> If it's hot, focus on staying cool.<br><br></li><li><strong>Spend time in places with air conditioning</strong> if your home is smoky or too hot. Try community centres, libraries, or malls.<br><br></li><li><strong>Seek medical help if you experience severe symptoms</strong> such as wheezing, chest pain, trouble breathing or severe cough. Call 911 in emergencies.<br><br></li><li><strong>Manage chronic conditions</strong> and carry rescue medications with you (e.g. inhalers).<br><br></li><li><strong>If you must be outside, a well-fitted N95, KN95, or KF94 mask</strong> offers the most protection. Medical masks offer some protection and single layer coverings (e.g. bandanas, scarfs, shirts) offer none.<br><br></li><li><strong>Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) often</strong> throughout the day because conditions can change quickly. See <a href="https://gis.metrovancouver.org/maps/Air">airmap.ca</a> or <a href="https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html">gov.bc.ca/airqualitymap</a>.<br><br></li><li>Sign up for air quality alerts at <a href="https://www.metrovancouver.org/aqalerts">metrovancouver.org/aqalerts</a>.<br><br></li></ul><div><p><strong>Background:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>PM2.5:</strong> small particles that affect lung and heart health — major sources include wildfire smoke, vehicles, industry, and burning materials. See: <a href="https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke">Wildfire Smoke Information</a>.</p></li><li><p><strong>Ground-level ozone: </strong>air pollution (commonly referred to as smog) that forms when emissions from vehicles, industry, and other sources mix during hot, sunny weather. It can worsen air quality and cause breathing problems. See: <a href="https://player.vimeo.com/video/218925373?turnstile=1.kuNpnuaERPzszzpyzoCor4mfKmq3AW88EEfvT-50Tvbpxfe8NUzNWNhV9mcKwh_49Vw_Q79-mt-Z3uF8XoTYpI9S5A6XQZ53zbl_jsRXaxWDCNyzf0Eht4Lpnkiv0I30QvWXuG9IQBG_hlax4XAiZmQbnb1HSylg4aFrOWuqtcJL6NQoufzMrwmi7Mu2jv7wGqbeL2w7FkMh2t6D4Eqt_uoBEQFEk-zEZ2BZ7a25wfrOloCCMWLywZKS2OOvZNeAOLq7ChUvHoCFJUfZS33DZTGs2RIK1B0YCuEayVsww2wmLVlc2ZkUXkcPy87C5pqrnF7LndZPiRjN5WLA3HvaLB6xk2Rj6Ta4yoniZyjSh94_tLPQ69Lkj62RW5psxtmYNfR3ZLw6U6FsZtQdY0DWB1dXpQh7jNBd9mMbXQnynRtIDH-qFCXlCsGM_f3_Dfw_VIbr_WafbYxehKJ5I4ina_qWjkfxBCpgv2SU0mYy9U8eki8PqnhcCJnGUKqBV4PnejDe4e8BbZEAFULyLUNHtpWSrZnGS4QleG8t69uDIBuFzB6PVxx4WTOWtGY4WsTFH26uLqRA7edMAitjPzX6jqOWGg1sn3FOdfzuaK-3ELLQgDrP6CqNW-yeeOWoBRwn6FQXt6pSnbuPZuMTxuagUeI_uZnVLdYvREx6l4NmsCfNu5HnPjRhJO_FER-zQDS_PhFYiYyrhd2ipQer5fh-nA.F6bXSoeFkykms1XIZdtLkw.cb03dd6ae4f9c676cb1cd15e1e8a1291c46de3f14f4dc7022ce53feb1df0d6ac&ref=">Smog Formation</a>.</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.metrovancouver.org/">Metro Vancouver</a> monitors air quality, manages emissions, and collaborates with regional and provincial partners.</p></li><li><p>Metro Vancouver has updated its air quality warnings to align with Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather alerts. Warnings will now be issued as yellow (high health risk) and orange (very high health risk) to convey the level of risk to the public and actions they should take to protect their health.</p></li></ul><p></p><br></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><br></p></div> | 7/21/2026 7:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |