Last updated: October 31, 2024

Air quality

Air Quality Advisories may be issued in many areas of BC when there are high concentrations of fine particulate matter primarily due to smoke from wildfires burning throughout BC and Washington State. Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds, temperatures, and wildfire behaviour change.

For information on air quality advisories, warnings when air pollution levels exceed limits and Smoky Skies Bulletin announcements regarding wildfire smoke, visit the Government of British Columbia's Air Quality Advisories.

Emergencies

For information on emergencies and natural disasters affecting the province such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes and other emergencies that require public awareness and action, visit the EmergencyInfoBC page.

Drinking water quality and advisories

B.C.’s regional health authorities are also responsible for issuing notifications about drinking water quality. The three water notification levels range from the least to most serious and include water quality advisory, boil water advisory and a “do not use water” notice. To learn more about these advisory levels and their impact, visit the Government of British Columbia: Water quality notifications page.

For water quality notifications in your specific health authority, visit:

• First Nations Health Authority
• Fraser Health
• Interior Health
• Island Health
• Northern Health
• Vancouver Coastal Health

Food safety and inspections

Food safety and inspections in British Columbia are managed by health authorities, ensuring food is safe to eat and that food premises comply with regulatory requirements to protect public health. Learn more about provincial food safety and security on the Government of British Columbia: Food Safety & Security web page.

For your specific health authority specific information, visit:

• Fraser Health
• Interior Health
• Island Health
• Northern Health
• Vancouver Coastal Health

Health authority news releases

For latest updates from your health authority, see:

• BC Centre for Disease Control
• BC Children's Hospital
• First Nations Health Authority
• Fraser Health
• Island Health
• Interior Health
• Northern Health
• Provincial Health Services Authority
• Vancouver Coastal Health

Health services

The HealthLink BC Directory provides listings for health services provided by the provincial government, provincial health authorities, and non-profit agencies across the province. You can search for walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, mental health programs, home care programs, pharmacy services, laboratory services, and more. To start searching, visit HealthLink BC Directory.

Mental health and substance use

Mental health and substance use concerns can affect many British Columbians whether they are family, neighbors or co-workers. To learn more, visit the HealthLinkBC Mental Health and Substance Use page. Services available provincially include the following:

• Complex care housing
• Crisis and Information Lines
• Government of British Columbia: Find Services Near You
• Here to Help
• Organizations Supporting Mental Health and Substance Use in B.C.

For health authority specific services and resources, visit:

• First Nations Health Authority: Mental Health and Wellness Support
• Fraser Health
  • Mental Health
  • Substance Use
• Interior Health: Mental Health and Substance Use
• Island Health: Mental Health and Substance Use Services
• Northern Health: Mental health and substance use
• Vancouver Coastal Health: Mental health and substance use

Warming centres

EmergencyInfoBC will share verified cold weather event information during emergencies, including cold weather advisories and warming centres. See the BC Housing website for shelter information throughout BC. For emergency warming centres, public warming spaces, and Emergency Support Services reception centres, visit: http://EmergencyMapBC.ca.

For other cold weather-related resources, see our Your health this winter health feature and our Hypothermia and Cold Temperature Exposure topic.