Almost entire province under special air quality statements

Almost all of Saskatchewan was blanketed by special air quality statements due to wildfire smoke Wednesday morning.

The province’s two largest cities, Regina and Saskatoon, were both included in the latest round of advisories.

Only the southwestern portion of the province — including Swift Current, Biggar, Eastend, Maple Creek and Kindersley — and the area around Hudson Bay were not under special air quality statements.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), smoke is producing poor air quality and poor visibility across much of southern Saskatchewan.

The weather office said it expects to see some improvement in most areas of southern Saskatchewan on Thursday as a low pressure system brings in air from the south.

ECCC did not give any timeline on when air quality is expected to improve in northern communities.

It said, however, wildfire smoke concentrations can fluctuate over short distances and vary considerably from hour to hour.

Wildfires burning in the Northwest Territories, Alberta and B.C. have sent smoke into Saskatchewan for weeks now, prompting ECCC to issue special air quality statements to this province. Wildfires in northern Saskatchewan also have been affecting the air quality.

According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, there were 21 active fires burning in the province as of Wednesday morning. That includes 20 that are rated as “ongoing assessment,” meaning the fire is being monitored regularly to assess the risk to values in the area, with the other one rated as “not contained.”

“Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations,” the statement said. “People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”

The weather office recommended people stop outdoor activities and contact their health care provider if they or someone in their care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains.

More information is available on the ECCC alerts page.