During wildfire smoke events, ECCC calculates the hourly AQHI from PM2.5 alone, so the index reflects smoke particles directly.

Is the Air Quality Bad in Mirabel Today? What Each AQHI Level Means

Whether the air quality is bad in Mirabel today depends on the current reading on the map above and the official AQHI forecast. Health Canada and ECCC group the AQHI into four risk levels. At AQHI 4 and above, people at higher risk, including children, adults over 65 and people with health conditions, should watch for symptoms and adjust plans if needed.

• AQHI 1 to 3 (low risk): Everyone can enjoy their usual outdoor activities.

• AQHI 4 to 6 (moderate risk): People at higher risk should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities if they have symptoms. Everyone else can continue usual activities unless they have symptoms such as coughing or throat irritation.

• AQHI 7 to 10 (high risk): People at higher risk should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Everyone else should consider doing the same if they have symptoms.

• AQHI 10+ (very high risk): People at higher risk should avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Everyone else should reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, especially if they have symptoms.

Source: About the Air Quality Health Index, Government of Canada. Smoke can lower air quality even when you cannot see or smell it, according to Health Canada.

When Is Mirabel Air Quality at Its Worst?

Mirabel's poorest air days in recent years have come from wildfire smoke in late spring and summer. On 6 June 2023, Environment Canada smog warnings covered the Laurentides and Montréal, and the Montréal AQHI reached 7 (high risk), according to CTV News Montréal.

In winter, Quebec's long heating season keeps windows closed for much of the year, so your furnace filter does much of the daily work. During smoke events, Filterbuy Canada's live Mirabel wildfire smoke map shows where the smoke is.

How to Keep Indoor Air Cleaner in Mirabel Homes

Official advice comes first: follow ECCC's AQHI forecast and local public health guidance, especially if you are told to stay indoors. At home, the goal is to reduce the smoke particles in the air you breathe most.

Filterbuy Canada's Smoke Action Line: U.S. AQI 100

When the live map shows a U.S. AQI of 100 or higher, Filterbuy Canada recommends these four steps, in this order.

1. Switch to MERV 13 in your furnace. This is the whole-home layer. The U.S. EPA says most furnaces and HVAC systems can use a MERV 13 filter without equipment problems when it is replaced often. Filterbuy Canada carries MERV 13 Optimal air filters in over 600 sizes, with free shipping to Canada.

2. Set the thermostat fan to On. Auto filters only while the system heats or cools. On filters continuously, as the University of Waterloo's Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation advises during smoke.

3. Run a portable HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) cleaner in each occupied room, bedrooms first. Health Canada advises a smoke CADR of at least two-thirds of the room's area in square feet, so an 11 m² (120 sq ft) bedroom needs a smoke CADR of at least 80. Avoid units that produce ozone.

4. Close the house up. Keep windows and doors shut, limit exhaust fans, and skip candles, frying and smoking while smoke is in. On very hot days, staying cool comes first.

No central HVAC? In apartments and homes without ductwork, a portable HEPA air cleaner is your main filtration layer, not a backup.

Check the filter during smoke. Health Canada notes that clogged filters are not effective at removing smoke, so replace yours when it looks dirty, even well before the usual interval. Keep spares on hand: subscribe and save delivery from Filterbuy Canada lets you edit, skip or cancel anytime.