Wildfire smoke information

Air quality monitoring and wildfire smoke

Alberta’s ambient air quality monitoring network is delivered through a distributed system, which includes industry, airsheds and the provincial and federal governments.

During episodes of poor air quality, such as wildfire smoke events, access to air quality information is important for Albertans to make informed decisions about their outdoor activities to protect their health.

Wildfire smoke can cause poor air quality and reduce visibility across the province. One of the major components of wildfire smoke with a risk to human health is fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). PM_2.5 is made up of very small particles, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller. PM_2.5 can be inhaled into the lungs and may cause health concerns.

Current air quality conditions

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a tool that relates outdoor air quality to your health, using a scale from 1 to 10. The lower the number, the lower the risk.

There are over 40 communities reporting the AQHI in Alberta. These are stations that monitor the 3 main AQHI pollutants:

• Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5)
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Ozone (O₃)

AQHI monitoring stations may also measure other pollutants and meteorological parameters. Additional pollutants considered in Alberta’s AQHI calculations include:

• carbon monoxide (CO)
• hydrogen sulphide (H₂S)
• sulphur dioxide (SO₂) 
• total reduced sulphur (TRS) 

Other current air quality data

In anticipation of and in response to wildfire activity, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas deploys portable air quality monitors and works with partners to fill gaps using air quality sensors in areas not covered by traditional air monitoring stations.

Environmental Beta Attenuation Mass (E-BAM) data 

Environmental Beta Attenuation Mass (E-BAM) monitors measure particulate matter (PM₁₀ or PM_2.5). E-BAM monitors are relatively easy to transport and can be deployed quickly.

• Fact sheet | Met-One E-BAM Air Quality Monitor
• Data | Wildfire Smoke Portable Monitoring Dashboard

PurpleAir-II Sensor data

PurpleAir sensors only measure fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). More than 120 PurpleAir sensors are currently deployed in Alberta, typically in cities and rural communities, to fill gaps in the provincial air monitoring grid. These sensors are owned by airsheds, citizen scientists, the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada and other organizations.

• Fact sheet | PurpleAir PA-II Air Quality Sensor
• Corrected data map | Hourly PM_2.5 Observations
• Raw data map | 10-Minute Interval PM_2.5 Observations

Other air quality monitoring tools

Wildfire impacts resources

Access resources on health impacts of wildfires and actions that can be taken:

Alberta

• Alberta Health Services | 2024 Wildfire Resources
• Alberta’s Environmental Science Program | Air indicators – Wildfire smoke
• Hazard preparedness | Wildfire preparedness
• My Health Alberta | Wildfire smoke and your health

Other provincial

• BC Centre for Disease Control | Wildfire smoke

Canada

• Government of Canada | Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health
  • Wildfire smoke 101: Combined wildfire smoke and heat
  • Wildfire smoke 101: How to prepare for wildfire smoke
  • Wildfire smoke 101: Using a portable air cleaner to filter wildfire smoke
  • Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire smoke and your health