Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke | Health Benefits and Virtual Health | Mental Health and Cultural Supports | Returning Home after Wildfires
Dr. Nel Wieman shares tips for coping with anxiety about wildfires
The role of the FNHA is to support First Nations, communities and individuals with wildfire response, evacuation and recovery. This role includes:
- facilitating communication and support with chiefs, health directors and community engagement coordinators, relaying information where possible
- coordinating access to counselling, traditional supports and culturally safe spaces
- providing continued access to FNHA and FNHA-funded health services; see below for descriptions of these services
Emergency Management and Evacuation
The FNHA Public Health Response team provides health-related emergency management support services to Nations and communities affected by wildfires and other natural disasters. Environmental Health Officers can provide advice and support to communities to access resources, avoid wildfire smoke effects and return home safely after an evacuation order is lifted.
Follow the BC Wildfire service on X at @BCGovFireInfo for the latest updates on wildfire activity in BC. To report a wildfire, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free.
- Current map of BC wildfire locations (BC Wildfire Service)
The FNHA encourages anyone who is evacuated and needs assistance to:
1. Go to the nearest evacuation reception centre
The reception centre will be listed on the evacuation order. FNHA team members are available at many centres to help community members to access culturally-safe supports.
For information on evacuation alerts and orders in BC, or to find a reception centre, visit EmergencyInfoBC or call the provincial Emergency Services Support line at 1-800-585-9559. The line is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Follow @EmergencyInfoBC on X for updates.
2. Register for Emergency Services Support
People who are on evacuation alert or ordered to evacuate can register to receive Emergency Support Services from the Province of BC. Self-registration is easy using the Evacuation Registration Assistance tool the the provincial website Evacuation Registration and Assistance. Evacuees should register even if they don’t need accommodation or other supports.
- First Nations Health Information for Evacuees (FNHA fact sheet)
- Creating a grab-and-go evacuation bag and emergency preparedness kit (FNHA news story)
- Wildfires and Evacuations (FNHA fact sheet)
Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke
The FNHA may be able to provide air cleaners or purifiers to communities with members who are especially vulnerable to the health effects of wildfire smoke. FNHA Regional Environmental Health Officers can also provide advice to communities on setting up clean air shelters.
- Air Purifier Support – 2026 Season (FNHA fact sheet)
- Wildfire Smoke – Clean Air Shelters (FNHA fact sheet)
- Be prepared for wildfire smoke (BC Gov info sheet)
- Protect yourself from wildfire smoke (BC Gov poster)
- How to stay safe from wildfire smoke (BC Gov colouring sheet)
The BC Centre for Disease Control provides fact sheets and videos on wildfire smoke and air quality. Topics include health risks, how to prepare for wildfire season, face masks, and advice on portable air cleaners and box filters.
Visit the Government of BC Air Quality Health Index and PurpleAir Map for regional air quality information. Sign up for air quality advisories via email, or follow @EnvReportBC on X.
Health Benefits and Virtual Health
In addition to regular weekday service, FNHA Health Benefits is providing a support line for clients evacuated due to wildfires.
Phone (toll-free): 1-855-550-5454; hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The FNHA Health Benefits team can support clients to access health services, medications, supplies and equipment if they are evacuated or separated from their usual providers.
Supports include:
- First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day
- Mental health and crisis counselling (including by phone or video)
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Medical transportation
- Prescription medications
- First Nations Health Information for Evacuees (FNHA fact sheet)
- Vision Care Benefit
Mental Health and Cultural Supports
The FNHA and our partners provide culturally safe and trauma-informed mental health and crisis counselling supports to Indigenous people in BC. These services are available year-round and are not limited to wildfires.
Crisis counselling is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) support through wildfire alerts and evacuations (FNHA fact sheet)
- Mental Health and Wellness Supports (FNHA fact sheet)
- Recognizing and Addressing Trauma and Anxiety During Disasters (FNHA fact sheet)
- Recognizing and Resolving Trauma in Children During Disasters (FNHA fact sheet)
Stigma around drug use can make individuals feel unsafe to discuss addiction or seek medical help. The FNHA provides a broad range of supports around substance use disorder using a harm reduction model, including overdose prevention and opioid agonist therapy. The FNHA also has a list of treatment centres around BC to help individuals stay safe if they are impacted by wildfires and need access to addictions medicine or supports.
Returning Home After Wildfires
Many dangers can remain after a wildfire has burned through an area. It is important to know the hazards and take steps to safely return home after officials say it is safe to do so.
- Returning to Your Home after Wildfires (FNHA guide)