BC Giving Out Free N95 Masks as Wildfire Smoke Hangs Over Interior

Kelowna, B.C., sits under a blanket of smoke from the Bald Ridge wildfire near Summerland on Aug. 11, 2026. The Canadian Press/Steve Dunsmoor

B.C. is offering free N95 masks to residents in the Interior as wildfire smoke from more than 120 active wildfires continues to hang over large areas of the province.

The province says the masks are being given out in communities throughout the Interior in order to lessen exposure to the wildfire smoke, and is also encouraging residents to get in touch with their municipalities for more information on nearby indoor locations with filtered air where residents can escape the smoky conditions.

Tens of thousands of British Columbians were evacuated from their homes earlier this month due to ongoing wildfires, with the RCMP confirming one death of an 80-year-old woman who they believe was trying to flee the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C., on Aug. 7 when she died.

The full extent of damage caused by the Bald Range fire has not yet been assessed, although B.C. Premier David Eby has described the property losses as being “significant.”

Another large wildfire in the Okanagan region of the province’s Interior near Vernon, the Bradley Creek wildfire, destroyed an estimated 230 properties prior to being listed as contained.

Since the evacuation orders, thousands of evacuees have been able to return amid improving conditions, with evacuation orders for roughly 400 properties in Summerland’s Trout Creek area lifted on Aug. 14, in addition to 2,600 properties to the north in the Central Okanagan as well as properties in Peachland.

The deputy mayor of Summerland lives in Trout Creek and reported that the fire in the area as of Aug. 15 was still active, with smoke blanketing the neighbourhood and significant amounts of ash around her property.

Although smoke can cause respiratory damage and health problems, the B.C. Wildfire Service says it may also help suppress some fires by lessening the amount of heat that spreads to vegetation and the ground.

Temperatures in the coming days are forecast to go up slightly across the centre and south of B.C. and cool somewhat in the northwest of the province.

Of the 120 active wildfires across the province, 39 percent are categorized as being out of control.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.