| Air Quality Warning: Particulate Matter in Eastern Fraser Valley | Air Quality Warning: Particulate Matter in Eastern Fraser Valley | | <div class="ExternalClass2844285C9E3E4E95BF56A3B61FB2797E"><p>Metro Vancouver Regional District has issued a <strong>yellow air quality warning</strong> for the <strong>Eastern Fraser Valley </strong>due to elevated <strong>fine particulate matter</strong> (PM<sub>2.5</sub>). </p><p><strong>Cause: </strong>Air quality in the Eastern Fraser Valley has been affected by smoke from the Brunswick Creek wildfire near Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon. This wildfire has grown in size and smoke travelled down the Fraser Canyon into the Eastern Fraser Valley overnight. Onshore flow of cleaner air is expected to help clear the air through the day. <br></p><p>Smoke levels can change quickly with weather and fire behaviour.<br></p><strong style="background-color:#ffff66;"><span style="background-color:#ffff66;"><span style="background-color:#ffff66;">Yellow Air Quality Warning in Effect (High Health Risk)</span></span></strong></div><div class="ExternalClass2844285C9E3E4E95BF56A3B61FB2797E"><b><br></b><strong style="background-color:#ffff66;"><span style="background-color:#ffff66;"><span style="background-color:#ffff66;"></span></span></strong><p><strong style="background-color:#ffffff;">Limit outdoor activity. Reduce activity duration and intensity.</strong></p><p><span style="background-color:#ffffff;">Where:<br></span></p><p><span style="background-color:#ffffff;">Fraser Valley</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color:#ffffff;">Eastern – Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope</span></li></ul><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:100%;"><p><strong>What you can do:</strong></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><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://subscription.metrovancouver.org/sites/AirQuality/default.aspx?jg=d0a574fb-ad60-4840-af39-5b43dbea8b4f&eg=4711e075-2fb2-4831-9493-0dd8f51c862d&lg=1e84f0af-96c0-47de-b0ba-5320423f0a0c<p=c">airmap.ca</a> or <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%2a3A%2a2F%2a2Fwww.env.gov.bc.ca%2a2Fepd%2a2Fbcairquality%2a2Freadings%2a2Ffind-stations-map.html&data=05%2a7C02%2a7Cprabjit.barn%2a40fraserhealth.ca%2a7C990003af4343471b3d7808dc59b3a623%2a7C31f660a5192a4db392baca424f1b259e%2a7C0%2a7C0%2a7C638483875314144198%2a7CUnknown%2a7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%2a3D%2a7C0%2a7C%2a7C%2a7C&sdata=hnTGAUy5Pxaezbk5QVnnsMBHS1i%2a2B7EgLglNnQNJBvho%2a3D&reserved=0__%3bJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUlJSUl%21%21A97xj4VDKevydJo%21lPcULm6ZgCECQOnFPr7UGf3UQ73NEt8BO43yQjVKxpUqKaL11hRsNAYNF3ch-OyjA-KDKkoAsd3xQmLHYZ8rYVj3xx1vCkqWF5aCc2idyRmlqnQNmus$">gov.bc.ca/airqualitymap</a>.<br><br></li><li>Sign up for air quality alerts at <a href="https://subscription.metrovancouver.org/sites/AirQuality/default.aspx?jg=d0a574fb-ad60-4840-af39-5b43dbea8b4f&eg=4711e075-2fb2-4831-9493-0dd8f51c862d&lg=9e6627ce-9548-4fe5-8f93-641621a97e5d<p=c">metrovancouver.org/aqalerts</a>.<br><br></li></ul><div><p><strong>Background:</strong></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li><strong>PM</strong><strong><sub>2.5</sub></strong><strong>: </strong>small particles that affect lung and heart health — major sources include wildfire smoke, vehicles, industry, and burning materials. See: <a href="https://subscription.metrovancouver.org/sites/AirQuality/default.aspx?jg=d0a574fb-ad60-4840-af39-5b43dbea8b4f&eg=4711e075-2fb2-4831-9493-0dd8f51c862d&lg=18800d89-203b-49b9-bff6-0e7511f84c6b<p=c">Wildfire Smoke Information</a>.<br><br></li><li><a href="https://subscription.metrovancouver.org/sites/AirQuality/default.aspx?jg=d0a574fb-ad60-4840-af39-5b43dbea8b4f&eg=4711e075-2fb2-4831-9493-0dd8f51c862d&lg=5ac0f4a5-2e7e-4107-957c-041951b2d914<p=c">Metro Vancouver</a> monitors air quality, manages emissions, and collaborates with regional and provincial partners.<br><br></li><li>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.</li></ul><br></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p></div> | 7/6/2026 7:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |