WildfireSmokeCanada

Banff, Alberta — Wildfire Smoke Forecast

Live PM2.5, AQHI and 48-hour smoke-model outlook · updated Sep 21, 1:55PM MDT

Current air quality and forecast

Now · observedModerate 12 µg/m³ NowCast · latest 12 µg/m³ at Golden Helipad
Next 48 hoursUnhealthy 1–69 µg/m³ · 3 models
Forecast peak69 µg/m³Sep 22, 6:00AM · FireSmoke

Smoke is expected to arrive around Sep 22, 4:00AM and clear by about Sep 22, 11:00AM.

Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Last 24 hours observed & next 48 hours forecast

74370now−24 h+24 h+48 hµg/m³

Background bands (US EPA AQI, 24-h basis): Good · Moderate · Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups · Unhealthy

Forecast

Next 6 hours
0–4 µg/m³
Peak around Sep 21, 3:00PM
Next 12 hours
1–5 µg/m³
Peak around Sep 22, 2:00AM
Next 24 hours
1–69 µg/m³
Peak around Sep 22, 6:00AM
Next 48 hours
1–69 µg/m³
Peak around Sep 22, 6:00AM
Next 24 hours — model comparison 3 models · 24-hour peak table
ModelPeak PM2.5Peak around
FireSmoke (UBC BlueSky)69 µg/m³Sep 22, 6:00AM
FireWork (ECCC)7 µg/m³Sep 22, 12:00PM
HRRR-Smoke (NOAA, 3 km)1 µg/m³Sep 22, 7:00AM

Model values are for the nearest forecast grid cell to Banff; FireSmoke, FireWork and HRRR are independent and often disagree — treat the highest available value as the cautious planning number.

Observations and NowCast are total PM2.5 — wildfire smoke plus every other source — as regulatory monitors measure it, and FireWork models that same total. FireSmoke and HRRR-Smoke estimate the wildfire contribution only, so they read lower than the monitors whenever other sources matter. The optional map plume surfaces are likewise fires-only.

Sky vs. ground

Little smoke at the surface or overhead.

Sky right now
Clear sky

At the ground · Overhead (if mixed down)

026516:00PM12:00AM6:00AMµg/m³

Overhead smoke dims the sun but is not what you breathe. The dashed line shows the surface level if the whole column mixed through the boundary layer — a worst case, not a forecast · Data: NOAA HRRR-Smoke; cloud cover is from the model, not observed

Nearby fires

150 km radius

Fire snapshot updated 2026-09-21 19:50 UTC

Within 150 km, agencies report 1 Being held · 10 Under control.

Out of control0 fires

No out of control fires are reported within 150 km.

Being held1 fire
2026KO5
36 km away · 11 ha · reported 2026-08-23 · PC
distance measured to the incident point
Being held
Under control10 fires
2026KO4
46 km away · 10.8 ha · reported 2026-08-09 · PC
distance measured to the incident point
Under control
N41514
51 km away · 737 ha · discovered 2026-08-09 · reported 2026-09-11 · BCWS
Fire number N41514Southeast Fire CentreMoose CreekCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
Sea Lion Mountain
93 km away · 1356 ha · discovered 2026-08-01 · reported 2026-09-11 · BCWS
Fire number N41412Southeast Fire CentreSea Lion MountainCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
Jumbo Creek
108 km away · 1136 ha · discovered 2026-07-20 · reported 2026-09-14 · BCWS
Fire number N21071Southeast Fire CentreJumbo CreekCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
N71254
134 km away · 1775 ha · discovered 2026-07-26 · reported 2026-09-15 · BCWS
Fire number N71254Southeast Fire CentreHope Creek NorthCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
Poplar Creek
139 km away · 664 ha · discovered 2026-07-26 · reported 2026-08-31 · BCWS
Fire number N71253Southeast Fire CentrePoplar CreekCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
N51987
146 km away · 5.6 ha · discovered 2026-08-26 · reported 2026-09-09 · BCWS
Fire number N51987Southeast Fire CentreMcRae CreekCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
N71327
146 km away · 1059 ha · discovered 2026-07-29 · reported 2026-09-08 · BCWS
Fire number N71327Southeast Fire CentreLew CreekCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
N51440
147 km away · 280.2 ha · discovered 2026-08-03 · reported 2026-09-03 · BCWS
Fire number N51440Southeast Fire CentreSable CreekCause: LightningResponse: Modified
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control
N51066
149 km away · 679.7 ha · discovered 2026-07-19 · reported 2026-09-06 · BCWS
Fire number N51066Southeast Fire CentreJohnson CreekCause: LightningResponse: Full
distance measured to the mapped perimeterOfficial incident details
Under control

Proximity and wind direction do not prove that a fire caused smoke at this location. Sources: BC Wildfire Service in British Columbia; Natural Resources Canada CWFIS elsewhere.

Nearest monitoring stations

See the Alberta-wide forecast — every monitor, ranked →

More in Alberta: Calgary · Edmonton · Red Deer · Lethbridge · Fort McMurray · Jasper