Vancouver, Canada Air Quality & Smog

Dominant pollutants, when pollution and smog are worst, a notable historical episode, and the official monitoring agencies for Vancouver, Canada — plus how to check the current reading. Vancouver reports air quality on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) — our full guide explains how that scale works and how it compares to the US AQI.

Dominant pollutants

PM2.5 (wildfire smoke), low ozone.

Seasonal pattern: when smog is worst

Vancouver's marine setting gives it excellent baseline air. The overwhelming hazard is late-summer wildfire smoke from British Columbia's interior fires, which can settle over the Lower Mainland for days. The Fraser Valley to the east traps smoke and winter wood-burning particulate more than the coast.

A notable air-quality episode

During the BC wildfire summers of 2017 and 2018, Vancouver recorded some of the worst AQHI readings in its history (10+), with weeks of smoke; the 2023 season brought further severe episodes.

The local index and who runs it

Vancouver reports air quality using the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), not the US AQI — so the same air can read as a different number than you may be used to. Metro Vancouver and ECCC publish the AQHI and station readings; BC's air-quality service issues smoky-skies bulletins during fire season.

• Metro Vancouver
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)

How to check air quality in Vancouver

For the official live reading, the agency portals above are the canonical source. To understand what the numbers mean, start with our guide to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and the broader comparison of world air-quality indices. Smog Report puts glanceable air quality on your iPhone — widgets, Live Activities, Siri, and Apple Watch — free and with no account.

Common questions about Vancouver air quality

Why does Vancouver have air-quality and smog problems?

Vancouver's marine setting gives it excellent baseline air. The overwhelming hazard is late-summer wildfire smoke from British Columbia's interior fires, which can settle over the Lower Mainland for days. The Fraser Valley to the east traps smoke and winter wood-burning particulate more than the coast.

What are the main air pollutants in Vancouver?

Vancouver's dominant pollutants are PM2.5 (wildfire smoke), low ozone. The reading on any given day is usually driven by whichever of these is highest.

Has Vancouver had a major air-quality or smog event?

During the BC wildfire summers of 2017 and 2018, Vancouver recorded some of the worst AQHI readings in its history (10+), with weeks of smoke; the 2023 season brought further severe episodes.

What air-quality index does Vancouver use?

Vancouver reports air quality on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) (AQHI), not the US AQI — so the same air can read as a different number than you may be used to. For live, glanceable readings on your iPhone, the free Smog Report app auto-selects the right local index for wherever you are.

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