Communities across Western Canada face smoke warnings due to wildfires

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This article was published 03/09/2025 (360 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER – Smoke from wildfires continues to cause worries across much of the West.

In British Columbia, smoky haze enveloping Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has triggered an air-quality warning that’s expected to last a few days. 

The Metro Vancouver region says residents should consider limiting outdoor activities due to elevated levels of fine particles in the air. 

Smoke-related air-quality advisories also cover more than 30 areas of southern B.C., the Interior and the northeast, with Environment Canada saying most are expected to persist until Friday.

Warnings are also in place across much of Alberta and a portion of northwest Saskatchewan, where Environment Canada suggests people limit their time outdoors and reschedule outdoor events.

Wildfires burning in the Northwest Territories recently forced hundreds of people from their homes in Fort Providence and Whati.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 3, 2025.