Where is the smoke coming from, and why are there air advisories in winter?
Summer smoke usually comes from wildfires, sometimes hundreds of kilometres away; our wildfire dashboard shows fires and the smoke forecast. Winter and early-spring advisories come from temperature inversions that trap smoke, exhaust and road dust in the valley.
Checked October 1, 2026. Numbers update on their own.
The air quality health index is 1.7 right now (1 to 3 is low risk). In fire season, check the wildfire dashboard for fires near the city and the province’s smoke forecast. In winter, cold air pools in the valley under warmer air above (an inversion), so wood smoke, vehicle exhaust and dust build up until the weather changes; the Province then issues an advisory. People with heart or lung conditions should limit hard outdoor exercise during advisories.
By the numbers, live
Air quality health index now
1.7
October 16, 2026. PG Pulse live board (Open-Meteo, ECCC, Water Survey of Canada, BC Wildfire Service, BC Hydro, DriveBC, NOAA SWPC). More on air quality health index now
Wildfire danger rating
Very Low
October 16, 2026. PG Pulse live board (Open-Meteo, ECCC, Water Survey of Canada, BC Wildfire Service, BC Hydro, DriveBC, NOAA SWPC). More on wildfire danger rating
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Official sources
- Province of BC: air quality advisoriesLink checked October 14, 2026
- BC Wildfire ServiceLink checked October 14, 2026
