Wildfire Smoke Days in Calgary: How to Protect Babies, Toddlers and Children

Information current to: August 15, 2026

Important information and disclaimer: This article reflects publicly available information and guidance as of the date written above. Air-quality conditions, medical recommendations, government guidance, emergency instructions and childcare requirements may change without notice. This article provides general educational information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your child’s physician, pharmacist or other qualified health-care provider. Always follow current instructions from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada, Alberta Health Services, the City of Calgary and emergency officials. Inner Garden Education has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate information but does not guarantee that every statement will remain complete, accurate or current. Inner Garden Education is not responsible for any misinformation, errors, omissions, changes after publication, or decisions made in reliance on this article.

The most important message for parents

During a wildfire-smoke event:

1. Check Calgary’s current and forecast Air Quality Health Index, or AQHI.

2. Reduce outdoor time and physical exertion as the AQHI rises.

3. Keep indoor air as clean and cool as reasonably possible.

4. Follow each child’s asthma or medical action plan.

5. Watch for symptoms rather than relying only on the AQHI, the smell of smoke or the appearance of the sky.

6. Call Health Link at 811 for non-emergency health advice in Alberta.

7. Call 911 for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, extreme drowsiness, chest pain or another medical emergency.

What is a “smog day” caused by wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases, water vapour and particles. Its components can include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds and extremely small particles called fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. PM2.5 is considered the principal public-health concern because the particles are small enough to travel deep into the lungs. Air quality can be unhealthy even when smoke is not clearly visible or detectable by smell.

Smoke may also travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres from an active fire. Calgary can therefore experience significant smoke even when there is no nearby wildfire or immediate danger from flames.

This article concerns smoke exposure. If your community is threatened by an actual wildfire, evacuation alert or evacuation order, follow emergency instructions immediately. Smoke precautions must never delay an evacuation.

Why children require additional protection

Government air-quality guidance includes children in the population considered more susceptible to air pollution. Infants and young children are specifically identified as being at greater risk from wildfire smoke. Children may breathe more air relative to their body size, their lungs are still developing, and they are often physically active outdoors.

Some children need additional caution, including those who:

• have asthma, recurrent wheezing or another lung condition;

• have a heart condition, diabetes or another chronic medical condition;

• are recovering from a respiratory illness;

• have previously developed symptoms during smoke events;

• require strenuous outdoor training or sports; or

• have a clinician-provided action plan with stricter limits.

Heavy smoke can affect healthy children as well. At very high pollution levels, everyone is considered at risk regardless of age or health status.

Use the AQHI—not the appearance of the sky—as your main guide

The Air Quality Health Index is a health-based scale from 1 to 10+. A higher number represents a greater potential health risk. During wildfire-smoke events, Environment and Climate Change Canada can calculate the AQHI hourly using PM2.5 so that sudden changes in smoke are reflected more accurately. Conditions can change substantially from one neighbourhood or hour to another.

Parents can check Calgary’s current AQHI, forecast and air-quality alerts through Environment and Climate Change Canada, the WeatherCAN app and Alberta’s air-quality resources.

AQHI guidance for children

Children are included in the AQHI’s “at-risk” population. The following table combines the official health messages with a practical, cautious interpretation for families and childcare settings. The final column is not a legally binding closure rule.

AQHI	Health-risk category	Official guidance for at-risk groups, including children	Practical approach for families and childcare
1–3	Low	Enjoy usual outdoor activities.	Regular outdoor play is generally appropriate. Continue to monitor children with asthma or unusual sensitivity.
4–6	Moderate	Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity when symptoms occur.	Children who feel well may generally participate in lower-intensity outdoor activity. Monitor closely. Shorten or move vigorous activity indoors when a child develops coughing, throat irritation, unusual fatigue or other symptoms.
7–10	High	Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Children should take it easy.	Move running, competitive sports and prolonged vigorous play indoors. Keep necessary outdoor transitions calm and brief. Use greater caution for infants and children with asthma, lung disease or previous smoke sensitivity.
10+	Very high	Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Children should avoid outdoor physical exertion. Outdoor events may need to be cancelled or rescheduled.	Keep physical play indoors in a cleaner-air space. Minimize non-essential outdoor exposure and follow all air-quality advisories and local health instructions.

Official AQHI health messages are published by the governments of Alberta and Canada. Health Canada also advises organizers to reduce activity at high levels and consider cancelling or rescheduling outdoor events when the AQHI is very high.

An AQHI of 10+ is an open-ended category. Conditions may continue to worsen even though the displayed number remains “10+.”

The AQHI is a guide, not the only consideration

A single number cannot account for every child. Consider all of the following:

• the current AQHI and the forecast maximum;

• whether an air-quality alert is active;

• how long the child will be outside;

• whether the activity involves walking quietly or running hard;

• whether the child has asthma or another health condition;

• whether symptoms have already started;

• indoor filtration and temperature; and

• instructions from the child’s health-care provider.

A child who develops symptoms may need to stop an activity even when the AQHI is only moderate. Conversely, official guidance does not require every healthy child to remain indoors whenever the AQHI reaches 4. The goal is to make proportionate decisions based on exposure, exertion and individual risk.

A practical smoke-day plan for families

1. Check conditions before leaving home—and check again later

Smoke can move rapidly. Check the current AQHI before daycare or school, review the forecast for the afternoon, and look for special air-quality statements or advisories.

Do not rely exclusively on:

• whether the sky looks clear;

• whether you can see the mountains;

• whether the air smells smoky; or

• the AQHI value from several hours earlier.

Health Canada notes that air quality may be poor even when smoke cannot be seen or smelled.

Before leaving home, also check the child rather than only checking the weather. A new cough, wheezing, chest discomfort, unusual fatigue or difficulty completing normal activity may indicate that the child needs cleaner air and closer monitoring.

2. Change the intensity and location of activity

Physical activity remains important for children, and official guidance encourages families to weigh the benefits of activity against the smoke risk. The answer does not have to be “all outdoor activity” or “no activity.” Duration and exertion matter.

On higher-risk smoke days:

• replace outdoor running, cycling, soccer or tag with indoor movement;

• choose stretching, dance, obstacle courses, yoga or active games in a filtered room;

• avoid having children run during drop-off and pickup;

• keep essential outdoor transitions organized and brief;

• stop the activity when symptoms begin; and

• reassess the AQHI before every planned outdoor period.

A respirator should not be used to justify prolonged or strenuous outdoor play in heavy smoke. Reducing exposure remains the first line of protection.

3. Create cleaner indoor air

Staying inside usually reduces exposure, but a closed building is not automatically smoke-free. Smoke can enter through open doors, windows, ventilation intakes and leaks in the building envelope. Filtration and proper building operation are therefore important.

Keep smoky outdoor air out

During poor outdoor air quality:

• close windows and exterior doors as much as possible;

• close an attached garage door promptly;

• repair or temporarily seal obvious drafts;

• minimize unnecessary entries and exits;

• set air conditioning to recirculation where the system allows it;

• minimize outdoor-air intake when appropriate for the particular HVAC system; and

• follow the HVAC manufacturer’s instructions or advice from a qualified technician.

The City of Calgary recommends closed windows and doors, recirculation where available, clean furnace filters and filtered public spaces when a home becomes too warm.

Building ventilation is more complicated in a daycare, school or commercial facility than it is in a private home. Outdoor-air intake, filtration, temperature and indoor carbon dioxide must be balanced. Major changes to a commercial HVAC system should be handled by someone who understands that system rather than by closing vents or changing settings indiscriminately.

Use the best HVAC filter the system can safely handle

Health Canada recommends using the highest-quality filter supported by the ventilation system. A MERV 13 filter is commonly recommended for removing more PM2.5, but some systems cannot safely accommodate the additional resistance of a higher-efficiency filter. Check the system specifications or consult an HVAC professional. Filters must fit correctly so air does not leak around them.

Inspect filters during prolonged smoke events and replace them when required. A clogged filter becomes less effective and may interfere with airflow. Keep replacement filters available during wildfire season.

Use a properly sized portable air cleaner

A certified portable air cleaner can reduce indoor fine particles. Look beyond advertising terms and consider:

• whether the unit is designed for the room’s size;

• its smoke clean-air delivery rate, or smoke CADR;

• whether it uses a HEPA or other high-efficiency particle filter;

• replacement-filter cost and availability;

• noise level; and

• whether the device generates ozone.

For a room with an eight-foot ceiling, Health Canada provides a general guideline that the smoke CADR should be at least two-thirds of the room’s area in square feet. A 120-square-foot room, for example, should have a smoke CADR of approximately 80 or greater. Higher ceilings generally require a larger unit.

Place the cleaner where airflow is not blocked by furniture, walls or curtains. Higher fan speeds and longer operating times filter more air. Replace or clean the filter according to the manufacturer’s directions.

A HEPA filter primarily targets particles. It does not remove every gas or odour in wildfire smoke. Some devices contain activated carbon, but there is no widely used rating system for their gas-removal performance.

Avoid air cleaners or “ionizers” that intentionally produce ozone. Ozone is a lung irritant and can worsen indoor air quality.

Set up a cleaner-air room

When whole-home filtration is limited, concentrate resources in one room where the child spends substantial time, such as a bedroom or playroom.

Keep its windows and doors closed, run an appropriately sized air cleaner continuously when smoke is present, and minimize activities that create particles or strong fumes. This does not make the room perfectly smoke-free, but it may substantially reduce exposure.

Reduce indoor pollution

On severe smoke days, avoid adding more particles and irritants to the indoor air. Reduce or avoid:

• smoking and vaping;

• candles and incense;

• wood-burning fireplaces or stoves;

• air fresheners and fragranced sprays;

• frying and broiling;

• unnecessary aerosol cleaning products; and

• vacuuming without a HEPA-filtered machine.

The City of Calgary specifically recommends reducing indoor sources such as candles, air fresheners, gas-stove use, vacuuming, cleaning products, frying and broiling during smoke events.

Wet-wiping surfaces or damp-mopping floors is preferable to dry sweeping because it is less likely to put settled particles back into the air.

4. Do not let the indoor space become dangerously hot

Wildfire smoke and extreme heat can occur together. Closing all windows may reduce smoke infiltration but allow indoor temperatures to rise. When heat and smoke conflict, Health Canada advises prioritizing keeping cool.

Use air conditioning where available. When a home cannot remain both clean and cool, consider an air-conditioned public space with filtered air, such as a library, recreation centre or shopping centre. Verify current hours and accessibility before travelling.

Never use a parked vehicle as a cleaner-air or cooling shelter. Children must never be left unattended in a vehicle.

5. Protect the air in the car

When driving through smoke:

• keep windows closed;

• use air conditioning when needed;

• set the ventilation to recirculation;

• maintain the vehicle’s cabin-air filter; and

• avoid idling in a garage or near a building entrance.

In a longer trip with several passengers, recirculation may occasionally need to be turned off briefly to refresh the cabin air and prevent carbon-dioxide buildup. Balance this against outdoor smoke conditions and keep children cool.

Should children wear N95, KN95 or KF94 respirators?

A well-fitting N95 or equivalent respirator, such as an appropriate KN95 or KF94, can reduce exposure to fine smoke particles when a person must be outdoors. It is an additional measure—not a replacement for staying in cleaner air and limiting outdoor time. Respirators do not protect against all gases in wildfire smoke.

Fit is essential

A respirator provides meaningful particle filtration only when air passes through the filter instead of leaking around the edges. For a child:

• choose an appropriate size and shape;

• cover the nose, mouth and chin completely;

• adjust the nosepiece and straps;

• check for gaps around the cheeks and nose;

• watch whether the mask pulls slightly inward during inhalation; and

• replace it when damp, dirty or damaged.

An adult-sized respirator that leaves gaps on a small face may provide limited protection.

Cloth masks, loose medical masks, scarves, bandanas, neck gaiters and face shields are not reliable substitutes for a well-fitting particulate respirator during wildfire smoke.

When a respirator should not be used

Respirators should not be used by:

• children younger than two years;

• anyone who has difficulty breathing while wearing one; or

• anyone who cannot remove it independently or with immediately available assistance.

A respirator should not be worn during sleep. Mask use may also increase discomfort and heat stress during hot weather. Move to a cooler, cleaner-air location if the child cannot comfortably tolerate it.

Because fit and tolerance vary, parents of children with significant asthma, heart disease, developmental needs or other medical conditions should discuss respirator use with the child’s health-care provider.

Special precautions for children with asthma

Wildfire smoke can trigger coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and asthma exacerbations. A serious exacerbation may involve nonstop coughing, breathlessness, wheezing or visible effort to breathe.

Before wildfire season, families should work with the child’s clinician to ensure that they have:

• a current written asthma action plan;

• an adequate supply of prescribed controller and reliever medication;

• a spacer or other prescribed delivery device;

• clear instructions about what to do when symptoms begin;

• instructions identifying when to call a clinician, 811 or 911; and

• medication and documentation available to the childcare program in accordance with its policies.

Health Canada recommends maintaining a supply of necessary medications and planning with a health-care provider for situations in which usual medication does not stabilize the condition.

Parents should not independently increase, decrease, start or stop asthma medication merely because the AQHI has risen. Follow the child’s prescription and written action plan.

Seek medical advice when:

• the child needs reliever medication more frequently than the action plan permits;

• relief is incomplete or short-lived;

• coughing or wheezing continues in cleaner air;

• the child cannot participate in normal quiet activities;

• symptoms wake the child repeatedly; or

• the parent or educator is concerned that the condition is worsening.

Symptoms of wildfire-smoke exposure

Symptoms can vary between children and between smoke events. They may also overlap with asthma, allergies and respiratory infections, so do not automatically assume that every cough is caused by smoke.

Mild or common symptoms

Common smoke-related symptoms include:

• irritated or watery eyes;

• an irritated nose, throat or sinuses;

• a mild cough;

• increased mucus;

• headache; and

• reduced comfort during activity.

For mild symptoms, move the child into cleaner air, stop strenuous activity, offer normal fluids and observe closely. Water may soothe a dry mouth or throat, but it does not remove smoke particles from the lungs or replace filtration.

Symptoms requiring prompt medical advice

Contact the child’s health-care provider or Health Link at 811, or seek urgent assessment, for symptoms such as:

• wheezing;

• a severe or worsening cough;

• dizziness;

• shortness of breath;

• an asthma attack;

• chest pain;

• irregular or racing heartbeat;

• difficulty completing normal activities; or

• symptoms that do not improve after the child enters cleaner air.

AHS operates Health Link at 811 around the clock for advice from a registered nurse.

Call 911 for an emergency

Call 911 immediately when a child has severe breathing difficulty or another medical emergency. Warning signs can include:

• breathing very fast or struggling for each breath;

• skin pulling inward between or under the ribs;

• the chest sinking inward;

• using the neck, chest or abdominal muscles to breathe;

• pronounced nostril flaring;

• blue, grey or unusually pale lips or skin;

• difficulty speaking, crying, drinking or feeding because of breathing;

• unusual sleepiness, confusion or difficulty waking;

• collapse or loss of consciousness;

• severe chest pain; or

• prescribed rescue medication not helping while the child continues to worsen.

These signs require emergency assessment regardless of the current AQHI.

Additional considerations for babies and toddlers

Babies and young toddlers cannot reliably describe chest tightness, dizziness or shortness of breath. Caregivers must look for behavioural and physical changes.

Watch for:

• faster or more laboured breathing;

• nostril flaring;

• skin pulling between the ribs;

• unusual coughing;

• difficulty feeding;

• fewer wet diapers;

• unusual irritability;

• reduced activity; or

• excessive sleepiness.

Do not place a respirator on a child younger than two. During high or very high smoke conditions, keep outdoor stroller walks and prolonged outdoor waiting to a minimum. Maintain a cool environment and continue normal feeding and fluids unless a health-care provider gives different instructions.

What parents should tell the childcare program

Before or during wildfire season, provide the childcare program with relevant information about:

• asthma, recurrent wheezing or another chronic condition;

• previous reactions to wildfire smoke;

• the child’s known symptoms and triggers;

• a current written medical or asthma action plan;

• prescribed emergency or reliever medication;

• the correct spacer or delivery device;

• updated emergency contacts; and

• any clinician-recommended restrictions that differ from general AQHI guidance.

Medication should be clearly labelled and supplied according to the childcare program’s medication policy. Do not assume that educators can change medication doses without written authorization.

On a smoke day, tell staff if the child:

• coughed or wheezed overnight;

• required reliever medication before arrival;

• is recovering from a respiratory illness;

• was exposed to substantial smoke before drop-off; or

• appears unusually tired or uncomfortable.

What families may expect from a childcare smoke-day response

A responsible childcare response should be flexible because conditions may change during the day. Depending on the AQHI, air-quality alerts, indoor air conditions, heat and individual children’s needs, a program may:

• check current and forecast AQHI values before outdoor periods;

• shorten, reduce or move strenuous outdoor play indoors;

• minimize time spent with exterior doors open;

• operate suitable HVAC filtration and portable air cleaners;

• maintain a cleaner-air room or area;

• reduce indoor particle sources;

• monitor children for coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulty;

• follow individual medical plans;

• contact parents when symptoms arise; and

• follow current AHS, municipal or emergency instructions.

Health Canada expressly identifies daycares and schools as buildings where protecting indoor air is important during wildfire-smoke events.

The AQHI by itself is not a complete measurement of the air inside a particular childcare facility. Building filtration, door traffic, cooking, ventilation and indoor temperature also affect the environment.

Families should follow direct operational notices from Inner Garden Education because the centre’s response may change with current conditions.

Common questions from parents

Does every child need to stay inside when the AQHI reaches 4?

Not necessarily. Official guidance at AQHI 4–6 says at-risk individuals should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activity when they experience symptoms. A healthy, symptom-free child may still be able to participate in lower-intensity outdoor activity. Children with asthma, previous smoke sensitivity or current symptoms may require stricter precautions.

Is staying indoors enough?

It helps, but it is not always enough. Smoke can leak indoors, and indoor activities such as smoking, candles and frying can create additional particles. Closed windows, suitable filtration, reduced indoor pollution and a comfortable temperature work together.

Can a regular surgical or cloth mask protect a child from wildfire smoke?

It is not a reliable substitute for a well-fitting particulate respirator. Loose masks allow air to leak around the edges, and their materials may not filter fine smoke particles as effectively.

Does an N95 make outdoor sports safe during heavy smoke?

No. A respirator may reduce particle exposure, but fit may be imperfect, it does not filter all gases, and it does not eliminate the increased exposure created by strenuous breathing. At high or very high AQHI levels, reduce, reschedule or move strenuous activity indoors.

Does drinking extra water “flush out” smoke?

No. Fluids may help with dryness and comfort, but they do not remove inhaled PM2.5 or prevent the health effects of ongoing exposure. Cleaner air and reduced exposure are the key protective measures.

Should windows remain closed all day and night?

Keep them closed while outdoor air is significantly affected. When the AQHI and alerts indicate that outdoor air has improved, ventilating the home can help remove pollutants that accumulated indoors. Check current conditions before opening windows. If the home becomes dangerously hot, prioritize cooling and consider relocating temporarily to a filtered, air-conditioned space.

Should a child stay home from daycare?

There is no single answer based only on an AQHI number. Consider the child’s symptoms, health conditions, medical plan, the centre’s indoor air and temperature, local public-health instructions and the centre’s operational notices. A child with breathing difficulty, significant wheezing or another acute illness needs medical guidance rather than routine childcare.

After conditions improve

Before returning to normal outdoor activities:

1. Check that the current and forecast AQHI have improved.

2. Confirm that air-quality alerts have ended or changed.

3. Make sure the child is symptom-free at rest.

4. Resume vigorous outdoor activity gradually if the child recently had symptoms.

5. Ventilate the building when outdoor air is cleaner.

6. Inspect HVAC and portable-air-cleaner filters.

7. Replace heavily loaded filters as required.

8. Damp-wipe or wet-mop settled dust.

9. Continue prescribed asthma treatment and monitoring.

A clearer-looking sky does not necessarily mean that fine-particle levels have returned to normal. Use current AQHI information before resuming prolonged activity.

Supporting children emotionally

Smoke can cancel outdoor plans, make the sky look frightening and cause children to worry about fires. Explain the situation in calm, age-appropriate language:

“Smoke from fires has travelled into our city. We are staying inside where the air is cleaner until it improves.”

Maintain routines where possible, provide indoor physical activity, limit repeated exposure to alarming news and allow children to ask questions. Health Canada notes that worry, stress, sadness and isolation can occur during prolonged smoke events; sleep, social contact, nutrition and activity in cleaner air can support coping.

Quick smoke-day checklist

Before leaving home

• Check Calgary’s current AQHI, forecast and alerts.

• Check the child for coughing, wheezing or unusual fatigue.

• Pack prescribed medication and the child’s spacer where applicable.

• Inform educators about new symptoms or medication use.

During the day

• Reduce exertion as the AQHI rises.

• Move the child into cleaner air when symptoms begin.

• Keep indoor air filtered and cool.

• Avoid candles, smoke, vaping, incense and particle-heavy cooking.

• Recheck air quality before outdoor play.

Get help

• Call 811 for Alberta health advice.

• Follow the child’s written medical action plan.

• Call 911 for severe breathing trouble, blue or grey lips, marked chest retractions, difficulty speaking or drinking, extreme drowsiness, chest pain or rapid deterioration.

Official information used for this article

This article was developed primarily from current guidance published by:

• Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada on wildfire smoke, AQHI health messages and indoor-air protection.

• The Public Health Agency of Canada on respirator use during wildfire-smoke events.

• Alberta Health Services on air-quality events, symptoms, emergency care and Health Link 811.

• The Government of Alberta on AQHI health messages for children and other at-risk populations.

• The City of Calgary on local wildfire-smoke preparation and indoor-air precautions.