Live Wildfire Smoke Map
Get Alerts For Wildfires In Your Area
The moment a wildfire starts near you, you'll get an instant alert and simple tips to reduce your smoke exposure.
What's In The Smoke
30xSmaller than a human hair
Fine enough to reach deep into the lungs. A MERV 13 is built to capture it.
How Far It Travels
It Doesn't Stay Local
Smoke rides the wind far downwind — you can get smoky air with no fire nearby.
What To Do During A Smoke Event
Simple steps to reduce indoor exposure.
- Stay In, Close UpShut windows and doors to keep smoke out.
- Set Fan To "On"Keeps air cycling through your filter, not just when heating or cooling.
- Recirculate AirSwitch off fresh-air intake so you're not pulling smoke in.
- Run A MERV 13Built to capture the fine PM2.5 in smoke.
- Add A PurifierExtra filtration for the room you use most.
- Wear an N95 if OutsideFits snug to block fine particles — a cloth mask won't.
The Best Air Filter For Wildfire Smoke
During smoke events, the EPA recommends upgrading to a MERV 13 filter — or the highest-rated filter your system can handle — to help reduce the fine particles smoke brings indoors. MERV 13 is the level most home HVAC systems can run while still capturing PM2.5, the fine particulate that makes up the bulk of wildfire smoke.
- Captures PM2.5 particles
- Blocks ash, soot, and smoke odor
- Keeps your indoor air safe—even when the outdoor air is dangerous
- Meets the EPA's recommended rating for filtering fine wildfire smoke particles.
Wildfire Smoke FAQs
Facts About Wildfires
Over 70,000 wildfires burn in the U.S. every year.
Wildfire smoke can travel 1,000+ miles, affecting states that aren't even near the blaze.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen asthma, trigger heart issues, and lead to ER visits.
Indoor air can hold more fine particles during wildfire events unless it's properly filtered.
The EPA advises using MERV 13 filters or portable HEPA air cleaners during wildfire smoke events.
Don't Wait Until The Smoke's Inside.
Use the live wildfire smoke tracker and upgrade your air filters today to protect your lungs and your home.
Shop Filters For Smoke Protection
Live Canada Smoke and Air Quality Map: What to Know Today
Wildfire smoke can move across provinces and into the United States within hours. In this blog, you will learn how to check Canada’s live smoke maps, how to read health guidance, and how to set up simple indoor protections for homes, condos, schools, and workplaces.
Key takeaways
Use FireSmoke Canada for plume forecasts and AirNow Fire and Smoke Map near the border for dense monitor coverage. Recheck later in the day after wind shifts.
Follow your local AQHI or AQI health categories. Treat elevated readings as a cue to limit outdoor activity and improve indoor filtration.
Indoors, close windows, reduce outside air, run HVAC on recirculate, and use the highest MERV your system can carry while maintaining normal airflow.
A right sized HEPA purifier creates a clean air room. Inspect filters more often during prolonged smoke.
Homes with HRV or ERV units should reduce outdoor-air intake during smoke and return to normal ventilation when air improves.
How to check live smoke in Canada
Open FireSmoke Canada to see active plumes and near-term forecasts.
For current readings, check your province’s AQHI page. Near the border, cross-check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map for added sensor detail.
Look again in the afternoon. Convection, gap winds, and frontal passages often change conditions.
AQHI vs. AQI at a glance
AQHI is Canada’s index. It shows health risk on a 1 to 10+ scale with messages like Low, Moderate, High, and Very High.
AQI is common in U.S. tools. It uses categories from Good to Hazardous based on pollutant levels.
Follow the index your local authority uses. As a simple rule of thumb, AQHI 7 to 10+ or AQI 101 and higher means limit outdoor exertion, keep windows closed, run HVAC on recirculate, and use efficient filtration indoors.
Regional snapshot
British Columbia and Yukon. Gap winds and terrain channel smoke through valleys. Marine pushes can clear or worsen air quickly.
Prairies and Northwest Territories. Fast-moving fronts and strong gradient winds can shift plumes within hours.
Ontario and Québec. Regional transport is common. Check both local fires and upwind provinces.
Atlantic Canada. Long-range transport can raise fine particles even without nearby fires.
Northern communities. Extended events are possible. Plan a dedicated clean air room and stock extra filters.
Indoor plan for smoky days
Seal and recirculate. Close windows and outside-air intakes. Run the system fan so indoor air passes the filter more often.Use efficient filtration. Many homes use MERV 11 day to day and move to MERV 13 during smoke if airflow and comfort remain normal.Clean air room. Choose a bedroom or living area. Keep the door closed and run a HEPA purifier sized for the room.Short-term backup. A box fan with a MERV 13 filter can help when built and used safely with a newer certified fan. Do not leave it unattended.
HRVs and ERVs during smoke
Heat-recovery and energy-recovery ventilators bring outdoor air inside. During smoky periods, reduce or temporarily disable outdoor-air flow if your system allows it, and rely on recirculation and filtration. Restore normal ventilation when outside air improves.
Apartments and condos
Keep lobby and corridor doors closed where possible. Run central fans on recirculate and add HEPA purifiers in gyms, lounges, and playrooms. Post daily AQHI in common areas and schedule deliveries or maintenance for the clearest hours.
Schools, childcare, and small workplaces
Post the day’s AQHI or AQI at entry. When levels rise, keep doors and windows closed, run HVAC continuously on recirculate with the highest MERV the system supports, reduce strenuous activities, and place HEPA units in classrooms and meeting spaces.
Commuting and travel
Drive with windows closed and select recirculate. Confirm a cabin air filter is installed and in good condition. Plan fuel and rest stops for areas the map shows as cleaner and keep trips short when levels are high.
When to replace filters in smoke season
Check monthly by default. During prolonged smoke, inspect every one to two weeks and replace early if the media looks gray or matted or if airflow drops at vents. If your cabinet allows it, a two-inch or four-inch pleated filter offers more media and often lasts longer than a one inch filter.
After the smoke clears
Replace smoke-loaded filters, vacuum with a HEPA vacuum, and wipe hard surfaces with a damp cloth. Clean supply and return grilles and confirm the HVAC drain pan is clean and draining.
Choose Filterbuy for smoke-season filtration
Stock the filters you need before smoke arrives. Order exact-fit pleated filters in MERV 13 from Filterbuy in standard or custom sizes. Filters are made in the USA and ship fast with free delivery. Availability and shipping options may vary by location. Turn on Auto Delivery so replacements arrive on schedule through smoke season.
FAQs
How do I see wildfire smoke in Canada right now?
Open FireSmoke Canada for plume forecasts and your province’s AQHI page for current health risk. Near the border, cross-check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map for added monitor coverage.
What is the difference between AQHI and AQI?
AQHI uses a 1 to 10 plus scale with health messages. AQI uses categories from Good to Hazardous. Follow your local health authority’s guidance for actions.
What AQHI level should change my plans?
Use AQHI 7 or higher as a cue to limit outdoor exertion and improve indoor filtration. Sensitive groups may take precautions sooner.
Do HVAC filters help with wildfire smoke indoors?
Yes. Use the highest MERV your system can handle while keeping normal airflow. Many homes run MERV 11 and move to MERV 13 during smoke if the system supports it.
Should I run my system fan on smoky days?
Yes. Close windows, reduce outside air, set the system to recirculate, and run the fan so indoor air passes the filter more often.
What if my home uses an HRV or ERV?
During smoke, reduce or temporarily disable outdoor-air intake if your controls allow it. Restore normal ventilation when outside air improves.
I do not have a central HVAC. What should I do?
Set up a HEPA room purifier sized for the main bedroom or living area. Keep windows closed during smoky hours and air out briefly only when AQHI improves.
How often should I replace filters during smoke season?
Check monthly by default. During prolonged smoke, inspect every one to two weeks and replace early if the media looks gray or matted or if airflow drops.
Is a thicker filter better for smoke days?
Often yes. If your cabinet allows it, a two-inch or four-inch pleated filter has more media and usually lasts longer than a one inch filter.
Do DIY box fan filters work?
They can help short term if built safely with a newer certified box fan and a MERV 13 filter. Do not leave them unattended.
Which masks help outside in heavy smoke?
A well fitting N95 or P100 can reduce particle exposure. Cloth and surgical masks are not designed for fine smoke.
Does Filterbuy ship to my area?
Filters are made in the USA. Availability and shipping options may vary by location. Check the product page at checkout for current options.