Air quality is a measure of how safe the air is to breathe. Smoke from wildfires or smog from pollution decreases air quality and can be dangerous to our health.
Adjust your activities during high levels of air pollution to protect yourselves and your family.
We encourage everyone to stay informed by checking local air quality updates through Environment Canada, PurpleAir or the WeatherCAN app.
If you or someone you know is in distress or would like to talk to someone, they can contact the Wîchihîwâuwin Helpline at 1-833-632-4357
The CBHSSJB acknowledges that this situation may be concerning for many, but encourages community members to support one another with care and compassion until conditions improve.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation in keeping our communities safe and healthy.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means for your health. It allows you to make decisions to protect your health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution.
Health risk: Low
General population: It is okay to do activities outside.
At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems): It is okay to do activities outside.
Health risk: Low
General population
At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems)
Health risk: High
General population
Continue to watch for symptoms – like trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes.
You may want to reschedule or limit heavy activities outdoors, like chopping wood or playing sports.
At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems)
Continue to watch for symptoms and stay indoors when possible. Symptoms include trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes.
Avoid heavy activities outdoors, like playing, working or exercising.
Health risk: Very high
General population
Continue to watch for symptoms and stay indoors when possible. Symptoms include trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes.
Reschedule or limit heavy activities outdoors, like playing, working or exercising.
At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems)
Continue to watch for symptoms and stay indoors as much as possible. Symptoms include trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes.
Avoid heavy activities outdoors, like playing, working or exercising.
Stop activity and stay indoors, make sure windows and doors are closed.
If you have asthma or another breathing condition, use your inhaler as needed.
Contact 811 (non-urgent) or the CMC if you continue to feel unwell or if your symptoms are severe.
811 is a free and confidential telephone health consultation service available across Eeyou Istchee and Quebec. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A nurse at 811 will answer questions about non-urgent health issues.
Service available 24/7. Cree speakers and Elders are available upon request
Find all the information you need to plan safe and efficient trips: road conditions, roadwork, and road closures. Get updated information from 511
As wildfire burns through forests and grasslands, it produces dense smoke that can be a major source of toxic air pollutants.
The Cree Board of Health recommends you wear a mask in certain situations to protect yourself and people around you.
Learn how to build a purifier to improve indoor air quality during episodes of forest fire smoke.
Information on wildfires, evacuations, smoke, and air quality. Updated daily.
Actions you can take to protect yourself during wildfire season
Resources providing up-to-date information about wildfires, smoke, and travel advisories and closures.
There are many things to consider when you go home after a forest fire evacuation
