The Ministry of Environment and Parks in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority has issued an Air Quality Warning for Golden due to elevated coarse particulate matter.Exposure to coarse particulate matter is particularly a concern for infants, older adults, individuals with chronic conditions (such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes) or respiratory infections, and those who are pregnant. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the warning is ended. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care provider. Staying indoors helps to reduce exposure.Current conditions are expected to persist until weather conditions change and/or local emissions are reduced.The next update will be on February 13, 2026 and posted to the province’s Air Quality Warnings webpage: https://aqwarnings.gov.bc.ca/Visit the provincial air quality data webpage for real-time observations:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-qualityActions you can takeAs air contaminant levels increase, health risks increase. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.People more likely to be negatively impacted by outdoor air pollution should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors or seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. This includes people aged 65 and older, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and diabetes, and people who work outdoors.###For more information on current air quality, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air.Visit http://www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.For more information about the alerting program, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/severeweather/weather-alerts/colour-coded-alerts.