Death of BC Boy Linked to Wildfire Smoke, Health Officials Warn

Flames from the Donnie Creek wildfire burn along a ridge top north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, July 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Noah Berger

The B.C. Coroners Service issued a public safety alert on July 17 about wildfire smoke after confirming a nine-year-old boy died after his medical condition was exacerbated by the deterioration in air quality caused by the smoke.

The boy, Carter Vigh, died last week in hospital. He'd suffered from asthma his whole life and always carried an inhaler, his parents, James and Amber Vigh, told CBC on July 17. They said their son died July 11 after visiting the emergency room for an asthma attack.