Canada· August 18, 2026 at 12:20 p.m.
BC Health Officer, Ministers to Address Wildfire Smoke Crisis
Key takeaways
- BC wildfire situation is severe with over 120 active fires
- Dr. Bonnie Henry, Kelly Greene, and Ravi Parmar to hold a news conference
- Air quality warnings issued in several regions due to wildfires
British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday, as wildfire smoke continues to affect much of the southern half of the province. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene and Forests Minister Ravi Parmar will also be present.
Orange and yellow air quality warnings cover a significant portion of the province, with major fires burning near Boston Bar and in the Cariboo and Okanagan regions. As of now, over 120 wildfires are active across BC, including those that have already destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to evacuate.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham has urged British Columbians to support businesses affected by the fires, stating this is a crucial time for businesses that have instead faced evacuations, road closures, smoke, and operational disruptions. Popham encourages citizens to buy local BC products as a show of support for affected farmers.
More details are expected to be provided during the news conference.
