The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association

The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) monitors the air in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We do this through a variety of air, land and human monitoring programs. The information collected is openly shared with stakeholders and the public.

We operate the largest airshed in the largest municipality in the country. We are committed to monitoring air quality on behalf of all the people who live and work in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. We do it in a spirit of cooperation with all parties and with the best interest of the citizens of our region always in mind.

What's New

  • BC Smoke Prompts Alberta Air Quality Warning. Click here for more details. View the information from the Government of Alberta here.
  • Download the WBEA Response (June 2) to Environmental Defence Report
  • ADVISORY: Due to air quality deterioration caused by fires burning in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Alberta Health Services is advising Fort McKay, Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan-area residents to take precautions against potential health risks associated with current air conditions. Read More
  • TEEM Science Subcommittee held a two-day workshop on Indicators in Calgary on May 4-5 2010. Read more...
  • Download the Conklin and Janvier Aug-Sep 2009 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Reports.
  • Download the WBEA Ambient Air Quality Data Summary and Trend Analysis.
    WBEA's comments on April 13, 2010 press release by the University of Alberta, Department of Public Health Sciences

    The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) acknowledges the April 13 press release from the University of Alberta, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Public Health on air quality in the communities of Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan. WBEA commissioned the study and endorses the report's conclusion that during 1998-2007, "...changes to regional air quality in the WBEA airshed-where observed- were either negligible or small for most of the air pollutants at most of the stations."

    However, WBEA believes that the caption heading the release, as well as one statement contained therein do not accurately reflect the current, post-2007 air quality situation in two of the communities listed. WBEA is fully aware that since 2008, odours have become more pronounced in a portion of the airshed. WBEA is evaluating new odour-related measurement technology, and is working to provide WBEA members with specialized air quality information to support informed decision making within the airshed.

  • Mobile Air Monitoring data now available online.  See Mobile Air Monitoring Current Conditions and Historical Data
  • WBEA 2008 Annual Report
  • New Air Information LIne to help keep residents better informed (Aug 1/08)...MORE
  • 24-Hour Alberta Environment Hotline: 1-800-222-6514
  • Health Link Alberta (Toll-Free, 24 hour a day, 7 day a week nurse telephone advice and health information service):
    1-866-408-5465