Elevated pollution levels are expected or occurring. The Ministry of Environment and Parks in collaboration with the Northern Health Authority has issued an Air Quality Warning for Quesnel due to elevated coarse particulate matter. Exposure to coarse pa

Detalles

Elevated pollution levels are expected or occurring.

The Ministry of Environment and Parks in collaboration with the Northern Health Authority has issued an Air Quality Warning for Quesnel due to elevated coarse particulate matter.

Exposure to coarse particulate matter is particularly a concern for infants, older adults, individuals with chronic conditions (such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes) or respiratory infections, and those who are pregnant.

Postpone or reduce strenuous outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Spend time indoors in a space with filtered air. Monitor your symptoms and seek prompt medical attention if needed.

Current conditions are expected to persist until weather conditions change and/or local emissions are reduced.

The next update will be on May 07, 2026 and posted to the province’s Air Quality Warnings webpage.

Visit the provincial air quality data webpage for real-time observations.

Actions you can take

Exposure to poor air quality can affect your health. Reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Spend time indoors in a space with filtered air.

Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by outdoor air pollution. 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 an acute illness.

Coarse particulate matter refers to airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (μm). Together with fine particulate matter (airborne solid or liquid droplets with diameters of 2.5 μm or less), these particles are referred to as PM10. Sources of PM10 contributing to this air quality episode include road dust from the emission of winter traction material along busy and dry road surfaces. PM10 can easily penetrate indoors because of their small size.

The current dusty conditions are caused by road traffic stirring up winter traction materials that have accumulated on roadways over the past winter.

The provincial air quality objective for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), averaged over 24 hours. 24-hour average PM10 concentrations are summarized below for Quesnel and nearest monitored communities at 9:00 AM local time today:

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.

Issued by Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks