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Wildfire smoke is an unfortunate part of summer in our region, and we know parents want clear information about when children will be outside, how those decisions are made, and what we are doing to keep the air inside our centres healthy.

Because we care primarily for infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children, we take a cautious approach. Young children are more vulnerable to wildfire smoke because their lungs and airways are still developing, they breathe more air relative to their body size, and active play increases how much smoke they inhale.

Why we focus on PM2.5

You may be familiar with the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). We do consider it, but during wildfire smoke events our day-to-day decisions are based primarily on PM2.5 — the extremely small particles in smoke that can travel deep into the lungs.

PM2.5 is the component of wildfire smoke most closely associated with respiratory health effects. Pediatric research has linked it with increased respiratory symptoms and health-care visits in children. A 2021 study published in Pediatrics found that wildfire-generated PM2.5 had a much greater respiratory impact on children than an equivalent increase in particulate pollution from other sources, with the strongest effects seen in children five and younger.

That is why our wildfire smoke guidelines are intentionally more cautious than some recommendations intended for older children or the general population.

How we know what the air is like near our centres

 One of the challenges with wildfire smoke is that conditions can vary greatly from one part of a community to another. Wind, elevation and the movement of smoke through the valley can mean that a broad regional air-quality reading does not always tell us exactly what is happening near our centre.

When we developed our guidelines, we consulted with our regional Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist about the best source to use for local wildfire-smoke information. We were directed to the University of Northern British Columbia’s AQ (Air Quality) Map. 

AQMap was developed by UNBC in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada. It combines information from government monitoring stations with a much larger network of community sensors, including PurpleAir sensors, giving a more detailed picture of local PM2.5 conditions.

Importantly, AQMap does not simply display the raw readings from those low-cost sensors. UNBC applies a scientifically developed correction to the data to account for known sensor biases and bring the readings into closer agreement with regulatory-grade monitors. This gives us a useful, near-real-time and locally relevant PM2.5 reading to guide our decisions.

What our wildfire smoke guidelines mean for outdoor play

Our staff follow clear activity levels:

• 0–15 µg/m³ PM2.5: Normal outdoor play and walks.
• 16–25 µg/m³: Outdoor time may continue, but we shorten the duration and reduce vigorous running and exertion.
• Above 25 µg/m³: Outdoor play and walks move indoors.
• Above 50 µg/m³: Children remain indoors, exterior doors and windows are kept closed as much as possible, and enhanced filtration is used.
• Above 100 µg/m³: Children remain indoors with maximum filtration, and management assesses whether conditions allow the centre to continue operating safely.

We monitor conditions throughout the day because wildfire smoke can change quickly.

What happens to the air inside?

Keeping children indoors only helps if the air inside the building is also well protected.

At our Main Campus, which was built in 2022, we have a modern HVAC and air-conditioning system. Each year, we pay the additional cost to ensure our HVAC units are fitted with MERV-13 filters, which are designed to capture a high proportion of fine airborne particles, including particles associated with wildfire smoke.

At our Sun Peaks location, the building is prefabricated and naturally less airtight. We therefore take an additional step. Along with MERV-13 filtration in the HVAC system, every care room has a portable air purifier to help further reduce fine particulate matter indoors.

During significant smoke events, staff also limit unnecessary opening of exterior doors and windows.

Why we sometimes keep children indoors when the AQHI may not look extremely high

This is probably the most important point for families.

The AQHI is designed to communicate general health risk across the population. Our responsibility is slightly different: we are making decisions for a group made up almost entirely of very young children.

We therefore look directly at the local PM2.5 concentration and use lower, more protective thresholds. We do not view 25 µg/m³ as a magical dividing line between “safe” and “unsafe.” Rather, it is a practical point at which we reduce avoidable exposure for young children whose lungs are still developing.

We still value outdoor play

Outdoor play is an essential part of our programs, and we do not keep children inside unnecessarily.

Our goal is to find the right balance: normal outdoor play when the air is good, shorter and less strenuous activity as smoke begins to increase, and clean indoor play spaces when outdoor exposure is no longer appropriate.

We know wildfire season can be stressful for families. Our aim is to make these decisions consistently, using local information, current health evidence and a precautionary approach that reflects the age of the children in our care.