Wildfire Safety Update: Protecting Yourself and Your Family

As wildfires continue to affect communities across BC and Canada, your MoveUP Health & Safety Committee encourages you to prioritize your health and safety, both on and off the job.

Wildfire smoke can travel long distances and create hazardous air quality, even when fires are not nearby. Exposure to smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, headaches, shortness of breath, and can worsen existing heart and lung conditions.

If You Are Working Outdoors

• Follow your employer’s health and safety procedures for wildfire smoke and extreme conditions.
• Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor and your job steward.
• Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed, especially during periods of poor air quality or high temperatures.
• If respiratory protection is required, ensure you have appropriate and properly fitted equipment and that you have been trained in its use.
• Know your right to report hazards and participate in making your workplace safer.

If You Are at Home

• Stay indoors when air quality is poor and keep windows and doors closed when possible.
• Use air conditioning or portable air cleaners with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters if available.
• Reduce strenuous outdoor activity during periods of heavy smoke.
• Check on children, older adults, neighbours, and anyone with respiratory or heart conditions.
• Have an emergency kit ready with medications, important documents, water, food, flashlights, chargers, and supplies for pets.

Be Prepared

Wildfire conditions can change quickly. Make sure your family has:

• An emergency communication plan.
• A “go bag” ready if an evacuation is ordered.
• Multiple ways to receive emergency alerts from local authorities.

Helpful Resources

For current wildfire information, air quality updates, and emergency preparedness, visit the resources below:

BC Wildfire Dashboard
BC Wildfire Resources
Canada Wildland Fire Information System

We’re Here to Support You

Your health and safety matter. If you have concerns about workplace conditions related to wildfire smoke, heat, evacuation procedures, or emergency preparedness, please contact your job steward.

Working together, we can help keep ourselves, our coworkers, and our communities safe.

In solidarity,

Rysa Kronebusch, Vice-President, Utilities
On behalf of MoveUP’s Health and Safety Committee

File Number: 26-MOVEUP-CMIT-H&S - Wildfire Safety Update: Protecting Yourself and Your Family - July 27

Union Label: kp:USW2009

Reply to: kprinz@moveuptogether.ca