Wildfires

Given that the wildfire situation in Quebec has relatively stabilized, there will no longer be daily updates on air quality forecasts on our website for the time being. However, the Regional Public Health Directorate is actively monitoring the situation to adequately inform the public if conditions deteriorate.

Air quality in the context of wildfires is based on the analysis of various factors. One of the measures is the concentration of fine particles observed in the air.

To know the concentration of fine particles near you :

Preventive Measures to Limit Health Risks

Click on the tabs below to see the recommendations issued by the Regional Public Health Directorate based on the current air quality.

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Bad or occasionnally bad
  • Very bad
  • No change or limitation
  • Vulnerable individuals should avoid outdoor physical activities
  • Avoid outdoor physical activities for vulnerable individuals.​
  • Prefer indoor activities.
  • Close doors and windows.​
  • Stay indoors.
  • Close doors and windows.
  • Avoid any non-essential outdoor activities. ​
  • Turn off air exchangers.
  • Set air conditioning units to recirculation mode in homes and cars.

La qualité de l’air et ses niveaux d’alerte

Consulter le document

If visible smoke or the smell of smoke is present, limit or postpone, if possible, outdoor activities that require physical effort.

Individuals vulnerable to wildfire smoke

  • People with respiratory diseases
  • People with heart problems
  • Pregnant women
  • Young children
  • Elderly individuals

General recommendations when air quality deteriorates

  • Avoid engaging in moderate to high-intensity physical activity outdoors;
  • Limit air exchanges with the outside;
    • Keep windows and exterior doors closed as long as the temperature remains tolerable. Heat is generally more damaging to health than poor air quality: indoor temperatures should not exceed 31 degrees Celsius;
    • Turn off air exchangers;
    • Set air conditioning units to recirculation mode in homes and cars;
  • Avoid non-essential trips to protect yourself from the effects of smoke;
  • Stay in contact with people who are alone.

If you experience discomfort despite these measures, call Info-Santé, au 811(option 1) or consult a doctor.

N95 Mask

If you must absolutely be outside, wearing an N95 mask can be a protective measure to consider. A well-fitting N95 mask can reduce respiratory symptoms and discomfort caused by smoke (coughing, irritation, and sore throat). However, wearing an N95 mask can cause inconveniences (e.g., humidity, heat) for the wearer. Note that it is not suitable for children.

Except for certain workers required to use respiratory protection measures, the decision to wear an N95 mask is an individual choice. It is a comfort measure for anyone exposed to wildfire smoke, whether or not they have vulnerable conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases or pregnancy.

The Quebec government provides N95 masks to people meeting the above criteria. These are available at all regional COVID-19 vaccination sites and screening centers (CDD), according to their opening hours.

For schedules :

Air quality assessment tools
+

Several free tools accessible to everyone are available online. Some of these tools provide air quality forecasts based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), while others present the concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5) measured in the atmosphere. These two methods, therefore, indicate different values.

To assess air quality, the Public Health Directorate relies on various criteria:

Finally, heat is also taken into consideration in the analysis of forecasts to ensure the public is well-informed about health risks during heat and poor air quality episodes. *Note that the forecasts are based on the FireWork tool.

Pour plus d’information,
consultez le site du gouvernement du Québec en suivant ce lien.