Air Quality and Respiratory Health During Canadian Wildfires

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of fine particles, gases, and chemical compounds that are released when forests, grasslands, and structures burn. It is toxic and is not like ordinary smoke.  It carries microscopic particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. This impacts the heart, brain, and respiratory system simultaneously. 

Canada's 2026 wildfire season began more slowly than in 2023 or 2025, which were the worst and second-worst wildfire seasons in Canadian history. However, activity is expected to pick up through July and August as temperatures rise. Canada’s 2023 wildfire season burned over 15 million hectares; the 2025 wildfire season burned 8 million hectares; and the most recent 2026 wildfires have burned 166,000 hectares till now. The smoke from the 2023 and 2025 wildfires did not stay contained to Canadian provinces. It reached New York, London, and parts of northern Europe within days. For Indians living or visiting Canada, particularly during the summer months, this is a direct health concern that requires preparation. This blog provides an overview of what wildfire smoke contains and how to protect yourself as an NRI in Canada. 

What Does Wildfire Smoke Contain and How is it Dangerous?

Wildfire smoke contains a fine particulate matter called PM2.5. This is the main hazard as it measures 2.5 microns or less. For your comparison, a strand of human hair is roughly 70 microns wide. This makes PM2.5 basically invisible to the naked eye. Because of its small size, it travels easily into the lungs and enters the bloodstream.

Beyond just this, wildfire smoke also contains: 

• Carbon monoxide 
• Nitrogen oxides 
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds) 
• Water vapour and ash particles 

As far as we know, PM2.5 at any level of exposure is considered dangerous. When there is heavy smoke outside and the AQI reaches around 200, PM2.5 exposure is high. It is roughly the same as smoking a cigarette a day. This is why air quality alerts are important to consider and understand. 

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Respiratory Health? 

Wildfire smoke health effects show their impact on the body gradually. The impact can be mild and often immediate in some people, but for others, the symptoms can quickly escalate to something more fatal. It is important to understand what exactly the symptoms of wildfire smoke are. This can help you respond to them before it is too late: 

Immediate Symptoms that Most People Experience 

The immediate symptoms of exposure to smoke can appear within hours of exposure. On some occasions, it can take 24 to 48 hours. This delay in symptoms is usually why many people do not realise that their health conditions are linked to outdoor air quality. Usually, by the time symptoms appear, exposure has already occurred. 

Some of the common immediate wildfire smoke health effects include: 

• Sore throat and constant coughing
• Stringing or watery eyes
• Runny nose or congestion 
• Headache and fatigue
• Shortness of breath 

A lot of people tend to assume that staying indoors guarantees safety. But, it does not. Smoke can still enter your home through small gaps in windows and doors, as well as through your ventilation systems. This basically means that during a wildfire, the indoor air quality can also deteriorate. 

Serious Risks for Vulnerable Groups

Most of the time, wildfire smoke health effects usually go away for healthy adults as soon as the air quality improves. But for people who fall under a high-risk category, it can actually trigger more serious medical concerns. 

People who fall under the high-risk category include: 

• Individuals with asthma or COPD
• Children
• Pregnant women
• People with pre-existing heart or lung conditions
• Outdoor worker

If you fall into one of these high-risk groups, then it is important to consider an active and adequate NRI health insurance plan before wildfire season peaks.

How Can You Protect Yourself Indoors and Outdoors?

Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke health effects means you need to have measures in place for both indoors and outdoors. These are some steps you can take to protect yourself: 

Protecting Indoor Air Quality

• When there is heavy smoke outside, make sure your windows and doors are tightly shut. 
• To ensure that outside air is not being circulated inside your home, make sure that your HVAC systems are in recirculate mode. 
• To trap airborne particles, use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) purifier. 
• Avoid burning candles or incense, and avoid using gas stoves. All of these add particles to an already-compromised indoor air.

Going Outdoors When You Must

• Wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask. These masks are known for removing at least 95% of particles. 
• Avoid heavy activity outdoors. This is mainly because exercise can increase your breathing rate, which would draw much more smoke into your lungs. 
• Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) before stepping out.
• Keep the car air conditioning on recirculate mode.

Even with these precautions in place, having NRI health insurance as a backup means you are not weighing cost against care if a doctor's visit becomes necessary.

Who Is Most at Risk and What Should Indians in Canada Know?

Indians living in or visiting Canada have specific risk factors that general public health guidance may not always address. Understanding those factors is the first step toward meaningful protection.

• Indians who grew up in high-pollution cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Kanpur may already have damage to their respiratory systems due to exposure to pollution. Wildfire smoke only adds to that existing damage. 
• Senior NRIs visiting family in Canada during the summer months are part of the highest-risk category. They are also often unfamiliar with how quickly symptoms can appear or where to even find AQHI alerts.
• Unfamiliarity with the Canadian alert system can delay protective action by critical hours. This is important, specifically when AQI levels are rising fast.
• Wildfire season in Canada runs from April through October. These are basically the peak travel months from India.

Health Coverage: 

While Canada’s public health system covers emergency care, it is not available to NRIs living there. This is why treatment for respiratory emergencies, including hospital admission, consultations with a specialist, and follow-up medication, can cost a lot more for NRIs living in Canada. If you are currently living in Canada, it is important that you consider an NRI health insurance plan. 

How Should NRIs Plan for Health Coverage When Visiting India?

NRIs often travel to India during or shortly after the Canadian wildfire season. If respiratory health has already been affected by smoke exposure, follow-up care in India becomes a real and likely possibility.

A few things that you should know:

• Indian health insurance plans do not cover treatment received in Canada.
• Canadian provincial health plans typically do not cover NRIs during visits to India.
• This creates real gaps at both ends, in Canada during a wildfire event and in India during recovery or follow-up.

What Indian Health Insurance Covers for NRIs:

• Hospitalisation costs during India visits.
• Pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses.
• Day-care procedures that do not require overnight admission.
• Premiums payable via NRE/NRO accounts.
• Tax benefits available under Section 126 (previously known as Section 80D) of the Income Tax Act.

Most Indian health insurance plans carry waiting periods of one to three years for pre-existing conditions. If a respiratory condition has been aggravated by wildfire smoke, buying coverage sooner rather than later is genuinely important, not just good advice.

We at Niva Bupa offer specialized health plans with cashless access at 10,000+ hospitals across India, a 30-minute cashless claims process, and dedicated support for policyholders based outside India. For Indians living in Canada who want reliable, practical NRI health insurance during visits back home, it is well worth exploring before booking the next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Is Wildfire Smoke Dangerous Even If You Cannot See or Smell it? 

   Yes. PM2.5 particles are invisible to the naked eye, and there is no known safe level of exposure. The air quality can still be dangerous even when skies appear clear or the smell seems faint. This is why it is always important to check AQHI readings.

2. Do N95 Masks Protect Against Wildfire Smoke? 

   A good N95 or KN95 mask filters out at least 95% of PM2.5 particles. Cloth and surgical masks are not that helpful because the particles are too small to be blocked by looser materials. 

3. Can I Run My Air Conditioner During a Wildfire Smoke Event? 

   Yes, but set it to recirculate mode so it does not draw in smoky outdoor air. Pair this with MERV 13 or higher HVAC filters, replace them more frequently than usual, and add a HEPA air purifier for the rooms where you spend the most time.

4. As an NRI in Canada, is my Health Covered If I Need Respiratory Treatment During a Wildfire Event? 

   Coverage depends on your residency and visa status. If you are not yet enrolled in a provincial health plan, then you may face higher out-of-pocket costs for emergency treatments. NRIs living in Canada should consider an Indian health insurance plan.