How should I use the Air Quality Health Index during wildfire smoke?

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Accepted Answer

The AQHI runs from 1 to 10+, and the higher the number, the greater the health risk. Environment and Climate Change Canada's advice by category (the page defines "people at risk" as children, people over 65 and those with health conditions):

AQHI	Risk	General population	People at risk
1 to 3	Low	Enjoy usual outdoor activities	Enjoy usual outdoor activities
4 to 6	Moderate	Continue usual activities unless you have symptoms like coughing and throat irritation	Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities if you have symptoms
7 to 10	High	Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities if you have symptoms	Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities
10+	Very high	Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, especially if you have symptoms	Avoid strenuous activities outdoors

Check the AQHI and air quality alerts before every session. They are available through Canadian weather pages, the WeatherCAN app and local forecasts, and WeatherCAN can notify you when the AQHI changes.