Wildfire smoke lands multiple B.C. cities' air quality on Canada's most polluted list
Wildfires continue to burn across the province, leading to public warnings about the worsening air quality in several B.C. cities.
According to IQAir, which ranks air quality in major cities around the world, Vancouver is creeping up the leaderboard for the worst air quality.
IQAir updates its readings hourly, but as of 9:45 a.m. on Aug. 5, Vancouver was ranked 34th for worst air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 81.
However, plenty of other B.C. cities have far worse air quality, with all 10 of the most polluted cities in Canada located in the province.
BC Wildfire Service
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At the top of IQAir’s live most polluted city ranking is Ashcroft, a village municipality located in the Thompson Country region of south-central B.C.
Ashcroft’s AQI is 899, or hazardous.
To put that into context, the most polluted major city on IQAir’s rankings is Portland, which has an AQI of 159.
A number of other B.C. cities also top Oregon’s largest city for worse air quality, including Chilliwack with an AQI of 247 and Hope with 215.
IQAir
Metro Vancouver Regional District also has its own Air Quality Health Index, which ranks regions based on low, medium, high, or very high risk.
As of 9:52 a.m. on Aug. 8, several areas in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver fall into the very high risk category.
The district also issued a yellow air quality warning that suggested residents in Vancouver, Burnaby, New West, North Shore, Richmond, Delta, Tsawwassen, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Surrey, White Rock and Langley should limit outdoor activity duration and intensity.
The cause was listed as smoke from B.C. wildfires, including the South Cariboo, the Southern Interior, and the complex of wildfires near Boston Bar.
City of Vancouver
“Smoke levels can change quickly with weather and fire behaviour,” explained Metro Vancouver in the alert.
The Metro Vancouver Regional District explained that PM2.5 are small particles that affect lung and heart health, and can be caused by wildfire smoke, vehicles, industry, and burning material.
The district advises limiting outdoor activities and their intensity while PM2.5 levels are high.
BC Wildfire Service
Prime Minister Mark Carney also sent his thoughts to everyone affected by the wildfires in the province,
My thoughts are with everyone whose life has been upended by the wildfires in British Columbia. The Bradley Creek wildfire alone has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the past few days.
On behalf of Canadians: thank you to the firefighters, first responders,…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) August 5, 2026
There are currently 116 wildfires burning in B.C. at the time of publication, with eight started in the last 24 hours.
The City of Vancouver also urged residents and visitors to be prepared for smoky weather.
“Wildfire smoke affects everyone, but some people experience more severe health effects than others,” said the City on social media.
“Make a plan to spend time in cleaner indoor air spaces such as libraries, community centres.”