Air quality affects our health and well-being.  Good air quality supports a healthy way of life. However, air quality can change very quickly, just like the weather. This is especially true during forest fire season.

Forest fire or wildfire smoke affects people differently.  This is based on how long a person is exposed to smoke, their age and health. 

GNWT’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources monitors air quality across the NWT as part of the National Air Pollution Surveillance Network. For information on current outdoor air quality, see:

• Government of Canada’s Public Weather Alerts for Northwest Territories
• NWT Air Quality Monitoring Network 
• PurpleAir
• Air quality health index
• http://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

For more information on health effects related to forest fire or wildfire smoke see:

• Smoke Exposure from Wildfire: Guidelines for Protecting Community Health and Wellbeing
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health - Air Quality Self-Assessment Method
• Wildfire Smoke Information
• Government of Canada:
  • Wildfire smoke and your health
  • How to prepare for wildfire smoke
  • Combined wildfire smoke and heat
  • Using an air purifier to filter wildfire smoke
  • Protecting your indoor air from outdoor pollutants
  • Wildfire Smoke – Protect your health
  • Understanding the Air Quality Health Index