Air Quality Updates - September 2025
Wildfire smoke has entered our region, posing an air quality alert for the Foothills. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the wildfires. Thank you to emergency response personnel and firefighters for protecting our communities.
Foothills School Division (FSD) prioritizes the health and safety of our students, staff, and our communities. There are several ways we assist FSD schools in identifying days with poor air quality due to various causes. We are directing schools to use the Alberta Government Air Quality Index page https://airquality.alberta.ca/map/ when deciding on outdoor activities. Given the various climes of our division, we understand that not all schools will experience the same air quality. As such, school leaders may utilize the Air Quality Index to determine their status and modify their school’s outdoor activities, as required.
We will share updates to safeguard the health and safety of learners during air quality events below.
Air Quality Index Guide:
Green: Good – Excellent for outdoor activity
Yellow: Moderate – Safe for outdoor activity
Orange: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Take it easy when outside
Red: Unhealthy- limit exposure, go outside in the morning when air is likely safer
Purple: Very unhealthy- indoor activities only
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The air quality affects groups differently, please use caution and make your decision based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and your knowledge of your children.
Contact your school if you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s participation in outdoor activities.
September 2, 2025
Air quality is very unhealthy for all groups. It is safest to stay indoors. Our schools will accommodate breaks indoors and other scheduled outdoor activities (physical education,
track events, field trips, outdoor learning, extra-curriculars) may be modified, postponed, or cancelled.
Facility windows and doors will be shut, and air circulation systems will continue to be activated to provide comfort to populations within schools. HVAC systems
will be adjusted to minimize fresh air intake.
Given our advantage of filtered air systems, schools will continue to operate under these air quality conditions.
As such, we will take the following precautions:
- Restrict outdoor exposure for all.
- Accommodate breaks indoors
- Modify, postpone, or cancel outdoor activities
- HVAC systems will be adjusted to minimize fresh air intake.
- Air circulation systems will run to reduce stagnant warm air/maximize comfort.
- Engage in indoor activities and limit physical exertion.
Given the various climes of our division, we understand that not all schools will experience the same air quality. As such, school leaders may utilize the Air Quality Index to determine their status and modify their school’s outdoor activities, as required.
