Saskatchewan workers dealing with heavy wildfire smoke and heat

Heavy smoke from Canada’s various forest fires and heat into the 30s could’ve made for a challenging day Monday for some who had to work outside and deal with the elements.

While the taste and smell of smoke in the air combined with the warm temperatures created non-ideal conditions, it didn’t seem to bother contractor Brad Blahun as he put a frame on a new house.

“We’ve been noticing the heat a little bit, but the mornings are cool and (the heat) picks up a bit during the day,” Blahun said. “The smoke’s all right and doesn’t bother me too much. We make enough sawdust as it is, so we’re pretty well used to it,” he said.

While some might think it would be a pain to work in the heat and smoke all day, Blahun noted it actually has helped him while doing his day-to-day tasks.

“Honestly, I haven’t noticed it too much myself,” he explained. “I don’t mind it a little bit being overcast. It keeps some of the heat off.

“Mid-20s I’m OK with. Once it starts getting to 33 or 34, it takes a toll on somebody. You drink lots of water and make sure you hit the shade every now and then to make sure you keep going. But that’s what you signed up for. It’s either blistering hot or freezing cold,” Blahun added.

Blahun noted he prefers working in the cold as he can bundle up as opposed to the sun where he has to wear pants regardless.

Austin Maves is a mailman and, on Monday, was going about his normal route. He also said he wasn’t too impacted by the smoke, but rather by the heat.

“The smoke I don’t really notice too much; it’s the dry heat,” he said. “I’m sweating more than I normally would be, but I work outside every day so it kind of just comes and goes.”

Maves said he used to smoke cigarettes and he noticed that would impact him and his lungs while walking around. But he said now he feels completely fine when going about his mail route.

“As a mailman we’re out here rain or shine,” he added. “I find anywhere from 12 to 24 degrees totally fine. Anything past that and I’m sweating buckets.”

Maves noted his employer at Canada Post does a pretty good job of making sure mail carriers get what they need. He said sometimes supervisors drive around with cool drinks to make sure workers are staying hydrated.

He also said most of the trucks have fans inside of them to let them have a cooldown. But on Monday, he noticed the heat.

“I’m out here hoofing it 28 blocks,” he said.

The special air quality statement that was in place for areas across Saskatchewan is expected to clear by late Tuesday. However, the heat in most of the province is expected to reach into the 30s C for much of the week.