A hot and smoky week is in store for Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, as temperatures climb well above normal and wildfire smoke drifts in from fires burning across the southern Interior.
Environment Canada has issued a Yellow Air Quality Warning for Pitt Meadows, in effect as of August 5, 2026. The warning, triggered by smoke from fires near Boston Bar and other parts of the Interior, advises residents to limit outdoor activity and reduce the intensity and length of time spent outside. The warning describes the health risk as high.
As of early afternoon on August 5, the temperature at the Pitt Meadows weather station reached 26.3°C with a Humidex of 29. Inland areas are expected to hit 29°C on Wednesday and Thursday, which is about 7 degrees above the seasonal normal of 22°C. Widespread smoke is forecast to become more localized by the afternoon, but hazy skies will likely persist.
A ridge of high pressure is building over the Pacific Northwest and is expected to keep the region dry for the next five to seven days. The pattern also brings a risk of dry lightning from late Thursday through Saturday, which could spark new fires in already parched forests. BC Wildfire Service Director of Provincial Operations Cliff Chapman has described current fuel dryness as unlike anything seen before. “When you put in 85 to 100 km/h winds on top of that it is an explosive and extremely dangerous situation B.C.,” he said.
More than 1,000 wildland firefighters are working on roughly 120 active fires across the province, including reinforcements from Alberta, Yukon, and over 100 firefighters from Mexico who arrived on August 3. The Pear Lake fire near Clinton has grown to about 1,150 square kilometres, and the Bradley Creek fire near Vernon has destroyed roughly 230 homes. Across B.C., more than 8,000 people have been forced from their homes, with about 7,300 properties under evacuation order.
People at higher risk from smoky air include those with lung or heart conditions, pregnant people, infants, children, older adults, and outdoor workers. Health officials recommend staying indoors with windows closed, using HEPA air filtration if possible, and drinking plenty of water during the heat. Residents are encouraged to check Environment Canada for updated air quality statements as conditions evolve.
