B.C. air quality worsens as wildfire smoke drives PM2.5 pollution

A new B.C. Lung Foundation report says wildfire smoke has become a major source of fine particulate pollution in British Columbia, adding to longterm concerns about air quality in the province. The report, State of the Air, says wildfire activity is increasing PM2.5 levels, while pollutants tied more closely to transportation and industry have generally declined over the past decade or longer. In 2025, 12 of 59 PM2.5 monitoring stations were above the province’s daily objective. Health experts quoted in the report say exposure to fine particles can irritate the airways, raise the risk of heart and lung problems, and contribute to hospital visits and higher medication use during smoky periods. The report also estimates PM2.5 is linked to about 1,900 premature deaths in B.C. each year, and says climate change is making severe wildfire seasons more common.