Nelson Air Quality Map
Check current AQHI observations around Nelson and Kootenays while keeping observed health risk separate from the modelled wildfire-smoke forecast.
How to read AQHI around Nelson
Nelson is surrounded by steep forested terrain, lakes, recreation areas, rural communities, and winding transportation corridors. Nearby incident distance is useful context but does not describe terrain-driven spread or road access. AQHI communicates short-term health risk from multiple pollutants at participating reporting locations; wildfire smoke can contribute, but an AQHI value does not identify a specific fire or pollutant source by itself. A nearby station should not be treated as a uniform reading for every neighbourhood, rural property, or elevation, and a missing marker is not evidence of clean air. FireRadar keeps observed AQHI separate from modelled FireWork smoke so forecast guidance and measured health-risk context are not conflated.
Observation, not a city-wide constant
AQHI values come from participating reporting locations and communicate combined health risk from multiple air pollutants. The nearest observation may not match every neighbourhood around Nelson, and a missing marker is not evidence of clean air. Wildfire smoke is one possible contributor rather than the definition of AQHI.
A focused starting view, not a clipped dataset
This page starts the national FireRadar layer around Nelson. The underlying AQHI station layer is not clipped to municipal boundaries, so nearby conditions remain visible as you pan or zoom. FireRadar does not infer a uniform value inside a city boundary.
Health and safety limitation
FireRadar is an informational environmental map. Follow Environment and Climate Change Canada, provincial health agencies, local public-health guidance, and emergency authorities for health or safety decisions. This page does not diagnose exposure, determine whether outdoor activity is safe, or predict individual health effects.
Related Nelson wildfire context
Smoke and air quality can change even when no confirmed wildfire is close to Nelson. Use the local wildfire page for current official incidents, the fire-danger page for broad fire-weather context, and the province view when you need a wider regional picture.