Wildfire Smoke Has Reached High-Risk Levels in Several Canadian Cities
If it feels like this wildfire season has been relentless, the numbers back that up: the federal government's July 9 update counted 3,137 fires and 1.4 million hectares burned so far, more fires at that point than the same date in 2025, though less area burned than that record-pace year. The smoke doesn't stay near the fires, either. On August 5, an air quality advisory went up for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as smoke from the Brunswick Creek and Big Bar Complex fires pushed the Eastern Fraser Valley's AQHI above 10, very high risk. A few weeks earlier, in mid-July, smoke drifting from fires in northwestern Ontario had already put Toronto at an AQHI of 8 and Yellowknife at 7, both high risk, in cities nowhere near an actual fire.
A note on scope: this guide is about smoke advisory conditions, not active fire or evacuation zones. If you are under an evacuation order, please follow your local authority's instructions and contact the Canadian Red Cross or your municipality's emergency line. HelperGen is a marketplace for everyday local tasks, not an emergency or evacuation service.
For the much larger number of Canadians dealing with smoke rather than an active evacuation, the practical question is simpler: how do you keep daily life running when going outside isn't a good idea? That's where booking help for the routine tasks that would otherwise mean time outdoors comes in.
Understanding the AQHI Before You Plan Your Day
The AQHI is Environment Canada's scale for the health risk posed by local air quality, running from 1 to 10. A reading of 1 to 3 is low risk, 4 to 6 is moderate risk, and 7 to 10 is high risk. You can check your local reading at weather.gc.ca or through the WeatherCAN app. Because smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres from its source, a high reading in your city doesn't necessarily mean a fire is nearby, it just means the air itself is a health concern for that day.
What to Book When the AQHI Is High
Grocery and Pharmacy Runs
On high-AQHI days, Health Canada's guidance is to limit time outdoors, particularly for children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and anyone with a chronic respiratory or heart condition. An errand runner can handle a grocery list or pharmacy pickup so a vulnerable household member doesn't have to be outside during the worst of it. Errand running typically costs $35 to $60 per job on HelperGen.
Pet Care, Adjusted for the Smoke
Dogs and cats are affected by poor air quality too. On moderate AQHI days, a shorter or lower-intensity walk is generally fine. On high AQHI days, many pet owners opt for a brief, low-exertion visit instead of a full walk, or ask their provider to substitute indoor play and enrichment. Dog walks and drop-in visits typically run $20 to $50 per job, and mentioning the current advisory level in your posting helps your provider plan the visit appropriately.
House Check-Ins for Elderly Neighbours and Relatives
Older adults and people with chronic illness are among the most vulnerable to smoke exposure, and they're also more likely to need groceries, medication, or a general check-in during an extended smoke event. A house check-in visit, typically $25 to $50 on HelperGen, is a practical way to make sure an elderly parent or neighbour has what they need without adding another outdoor trip to your own day.
How to Book on HelperGen
Use Gen Lightning to post your task in one sentence: "I need groceries picked up from the Loblaws on Danforth today, my mom shouldn't be out in this smoke" or "Can someone do a shorter dog walk today, the AQHI is at 7 in my area" both generate a complete posting in seconds. Review applicants by their Verified Helper badge and reviews, and confirm.
All payments are held in Stripe escrow and released only when you confirm the job is complete using your Quick Pay Code, so there's no cash and no risk while you're keeping yourself or a vulnerable family member out of the smoke.
Are you a HelperGen provider? See our companion guide to working safely during a smoke advisory for guidance on protective gear, category-by-category risk, and how to apply for these adjusted, lower-exposure jobs.
If You're in an Evacuation Zone, This Isn't the Resource You Need
To repeat the note above because it matters: if your area is under an evacuation order or alert rather than a smoke advisory, HelperGen is not the right tool. Follow instructions from your local authority immediately, and reach out to the Canadian Red Cross or your provincial emergency management office for evacuation support, shelter, and emergency assistance.
Sources
- Wildfire Smoke, Air Quality and Your Health — Health Canada
- The Government of Canada Provides an Update Regarding the 2026 Wildfire Season — Public Safety Canada
- Wildfire Smoke Transforms Skies as Air Quality Plummets Across Canada — Global News
- Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley Under Air Quality Advisory Due to Wildfire Smoke — Global News
- Thousands Evacuated From Their Homes as Wildfires Rage Across Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AQHI and how do I know if my area is under a smoke advisory?
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is Environment Canada's 1-to-10+ scale for the health risk posed by local air quality, with 1 to 3 considered low risk, 4 to 6 moderate risk, 7 to 10 high risk, and above 10 very high risk. Wildfire smoke has pushed several Canadian cities into high-risk territory this summer: Toronto reached an AQHI of 8 and Yellowknife reached 7 in mid-July, and on August 5 an air quality advisory pushed parts of the Eastern Fraser Valley near Vancouver above 10. Smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres from the actual fires, so a high AQHI reading in your city does not necessarily mean a fire is nearby. Check your local reading at weather.gc.ca or through the WeatherCAN app before planning outdoor activity.
What tasks can I book on HelperGen during a smoke advisory?
The most useful categories during a smoke advisory are grocery and pharmacy runs (so you or a vulnerable family member does not need to go outside), pet care such as dog walking or drop-in visits timed to lower-smoke hours or shortened to reduce a pet's outdoor exposure, and house check-ins for elderly neighbours or relatives who are more vulnerable to smoke exposure. Post your task using Gen Lightning and a verified local provider can typically respond within hours.
Is it safe for a HelperGen provider to walk my dog during a smoke advisory?
At moderate AQHI levels (4 to 6), a shorter or lower-intensity walk is generally reasonable. At high levels (7 to 10), Health Canada guidance recommends limiting strenuous outdoor activity for both people and pets. Many providers adjust by offering brief, low-exertion walks or substituting indoor play and enrichment instead of a full walk on high-AQHI days. When posting your task, mention the current advisory level so your provider can plan accordingly.
What should I do if I'm under an active evacuation order, not just a smoke advisory?
HelperGen is a local services marketplace for everyday tasks like errands, pet care, and cleaning. It is not an emergency response or evacuation service. If you are under an evacuation order or alert, follow the instructions from your local authority or provincial emergency management office immediately, and contact the Canadian Red Cross or your municipality's emergency line for evacuation support, shelter, and emergency assistance. This guide applies to smoke advisory conditions away from active fire and evacuation zones.