No Air Quality Warnings or Statements Currently in Effect
What Do I Need to Know about Air Quality in Merritt?
Air quality in BC is monitored by both Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and BC Air Quality. Air quality is monitored using a network of Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) monitoring stations located throughout BC that forecast air quality health risk on a scale of 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 Merritt consequently does not receive a local AQHI forecast. The AQHI monitoring station nearest to Merritt is located in Kamloops and data from the Kamloops station may be used to approximate air quality in Merritt.
Poor air quality is generally not a major concern for the general population; however, it may be a significant concern for vulnerable persons such as people with heart or respiratory problems, children, and the elderly.
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 Warnings
While Merritt does not receive an AQHI forecast, air quality warnings are still issued for wildfire smoke. The Government of BC posts air quality warnings to on the BC Air Quality Warnings website.
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:
