Since about 2015, there has been a marked increase in the number of summer air quality advisories in the Fraser Valley airshed (from the ocean to Hope.) The Metro Vancouver Regional District issues these advisories when smog or fine particulate matter reaches levels that harm human health.
These days, most air quality advisories result from fine particulate matter found in wildfire smoke. While this year was another extreme wildfire season, 75% of the wildfires were in northern BC, and the resulting smoke did not make its way down to our airshed.
Metro Vancouver issued a three-day smog advisory starting on July 8th this summer, which was caused by local pollution.
The following chart shows the number of days an air quality advisory was in effect, from 2005 until now.
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| Number of days of air quality advisories in the Lower Fraser Valley. Source: Metro Vancouver |
You can sign up for air quality advisories on the Metro Vancouver website. You can also view Metro Vancouver's real-time air quality map. Most weather apps and sites also include Metro Vancouver's air quality data.
On the topic of air quality, Metro Vancouver also regulates:
- Fireplace
- Fireplace insert (that burns wood)
- Wood stove
- Pellet stove
- Masonry heater
- Other wood burning device
You must register your wood-burning appliance, ensure it meets our region's emission standards, and follow the region's wood burning regulations. The Metro Vancouver's real-time air quality map also shows if you can use your wood-burning fireplace. For example, you cannot use a wood-burning fireplace in Langley today.