Fraser Health Heat and Wildfire Smoke Resources for Businesses

Summers in our region are getting hotter and smokier, and 2026 is projected to be more intense than usual. As the backbone of our communities, businesses can play a role in sharing information and take action to keep our community members, especially the most vulnerable, safe.

During the 2021 heat dome, some businesses opened as unofficial cooling spaces. This can be extremely helpful as those customers who can’t get to a municipal cooling centre, such as a library, for accessibility reasons, may feel most comfortable staying in their local coffee shop or favourite store. Guidance for heat and wildfire smoke response is available for businesses, if they have capacity.

Depending on your clients or industry, specific resources may be applicable to your business, such as:

• Heat, wildfire smoke, and ventilation guidance for childcare businesses.
• Extreme heat and wildfire smoke events, outdoor public gatherings and protecting health: steps for preparation and action for sports-related businesses and event planners.
• Heat, wildfire smoke, and health: Recommended actions for owners and manager of rental and strata housing for those in property management.
• Postcards on preparing the home for heat and wildfire smoke may be shared by realtors and others who work within people’s homes.
• Information on the impacts of heat on seniors and those with medical conditions, as well as the health impacts of wildfire smoke, for healthcare providers and those who serve seniors.
• Extreme heat events, food establishments and protections health: steps for preparation and action for keeping staff and customers safe.

For more resources to support your community, please see the Fraser Health heat or air quality websites.