Nelson, British Columbia, Canada Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Air quality warning in effect for wildfire smoke - July 20, 2026. 

These regions of BC are being impacted or are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke over the next 24-48 hours:

- Fort Nelson
- B.C. Peace River
- Williston
- Prince George
- McGregor
- Fraser Canyon 
- South Thompson
- West Kootenay
- Kootenay Lake
- East Kootenay (South including Cranbrook)

Smoke is predicted to move into the Kootenay region from the south during the day. Smoke is predicted to continue to move south and west from the Peace region through the day. Smoke will continue to impact the Fraser Canyon and western side of the South Thompson.

During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

Monitor the situation for any wildfires near your area at EmergencyInfoBC. Follow all emergency announcements relevant to your location.

The next update will be available on July 21, 2026 and made available on the Province’s Air Quality Warnings webpage: https://aqwarnings.gov.bc.ca/

Actions you can take:

Exposure to smoke can affect your health. Postpone or reduce strenuous outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Spend time indoors in a space with cleaner air.

Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by smoke. This includes people with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, and anyone whose health is affected by a chronic condition or acute illness.

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Visit http://www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.

Humidex values reaching 33 are expected for the next day.

This is a heat warning. Temperature are high and there is a risk to public health.

What: A period of elevated temperatures is expected.

When: From now to Thursday.

Where: Okanagan Valley, Fraser Canyon, South Thompson, Shuswap, Boundary, West Kootenay.

Additional Information:
A ridge of high pressure will bring elevated temperature to the region. Daytime highs are expected to be in the mid to high 30s with overnight lows in the mid to high teens. 

High temperatures may persist until Thursday, followed by a cooling trend.

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Heat affects everyone, but the risks are greater for: seniors, people who live alone, people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease, people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety, people with substance use disorders, people with limited mobility.

Check on family, friends and neighbours, who are at higher risk, particularly if they live alone, to make sure they have a cool space.

Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.

For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html

To get more information: - Check the local news for health and safety updates. - Check HealthLinkBC online resources about heat-related illness and how to protect yourself at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/heat-related-illness. - Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to ask about heat-related illness.

Environment Canada and local Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #BCStorm.