Smoke-filled skies not leaving Regina just yet

Regina might see some reprieve from smokey skies in the coming days but the hazy air won’t be disappearing just yet.

Meteorologist Janelle Gergely with Environment and Climate Change Canada said the smoke Regina residents have been seeing in the skies all week is from fires just east of Lake Winnipeg and western Ontario. Gergely said these fires have been pushing eastward into Regina with the wind.

With winds now shifting slightly to a more notheasterly flow, however, Gergely said the smoke will now likely shift, leaving areas in the north experiencing dense smoke but giving Regina a break.

If winds shift, variations of the concentrations of smoke might still be seen from the city over the coming days, said Gergely.

Going forward, the meteorologist said a westerly trend is being seen.

“There’s still fires in B.C. and any wind that comes from the south, there’s also fires in the States, so it’s unlikely that the smoke is just going to go away,” said Gergely.

She recommended Saskatchewan residents continue to pay attention to special air quality statements.

On the air quality health index (AQHI), Regina is currently at a four.

“Anything higher than five (AQHI) is dangerous,” said Gergely.

Special air quality statements will continue to alert Regina residents to the risk posed by the smokey air to their health.

With files from 980 CJME’s Mattea Columpsi