No Air Quality Warnings or Statements Currently in Effect
What Do I Need to Know about Air Quality in Merritt?
Both Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks monitor air quality in BC. A national network of Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) monitoring stations is used to forecast air quality health risk on a scale from 1 (low health risk) to 10+ (very high health risk).
Merritt is located in the Nicola Air Quality Region. The Nicola Air Quality Region does not have an AQHI monitoring station and consequently Merritt does not receive a local AQHI forecast. The AQHI monitoring station nearest Merritt is located in Kamloops.
Although Merritt does not receive an AQHI forecast, the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks may still issue air quality warnings for the Nicola Air Quality Region when air quality is expected to be impacted by wildfire smoke. Air quality warnings are posted on the BC Air Quality Warnings website.
Poor air quality is generally not a significant concern for the general population; however, poor air quality may be a significant concern for certain vulnerable populations, such as people with heart or respiratory problems, children, and older adults.
Where Is Wildfire Smoke Coming From?
During the summer wildfire season, air quality in Merritt is sometimes impacted by wildfire smoke. While smoke may originate from a nearby wildfire, wildfire smoke often travels to Merritt from hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. FireSmoke.ca is a Canadian project that displays where smoke originates and where it is travelling. FireSmoke.ca data is also accessible as a layer in the BC Wildfire Service online map program.
BC Air Quality Subscription Service
Merritt residents may choose to receive alerts about local air quality by using the BC Air Quality Subscription Service to register to receive notifications for the Nicola Air Quality Region.
The Merritt Parcel Street Air Monitoring Station
Merritt does not have an AQHI monitoring station; however, the Parcel Street air monitoring station does collect temperature, wind speed, and humidity data.
Where Can I Learn More?
We recommend visiting the following websites to learn more about air quality in Merritt:
