Smoke sticks around in southern Saskatchewan

Smoke is still getting in your eyes in parts of southern Saskatchewan.

Special air quality statements remained in place Wednesday for a number of regions in the province, including Regina and Saskatoon.

Other areas included in the advisory from Environment and Climate Change Canada were Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Lumsden, Indian Head, Estevan, Weyburn, Humboldt, Martensville, Warman, Outlook and Watrous.

“Widespread wildfire smoke continues to affect parts of southern Saskatchewan, causing elevated (Air Quality Health Index) values and reduced visibilities in many areas,” the statement said.

“Smoke is expected to gradually clear out from west to east through the evening and into the overnight period.”

As of 2 p.m., the Air Quality Health Index in Regina was a 10+, while Saskatoon was a 6.

The weather service noted that heavy concentrations of smoke in the air can affect everyone, but especially people who are older, have lung or heart conditions, are pregnant or work outside, as well as children. Those groups in particular were advised to reduce their exposure.

Wildfire smoke — mostly from the fires burning in B.C. and the Northwest Territories — has been hanging over the province for much of the summer. Environment Canada meteorologist Dan Fulton said Monday that smoky weather is still expected in the province a few more times throughout the month of September.

Meteorologist Terri Lang told Discover Weyburn that, as of midnight Tuesday, Regina had endured 221 smoke hours this wildfire season and Saskatoon had experienced 282 smoke hours.

Smoke hours require visibility to dip below 9.7 kilometres.

“That goes along with the fact that the amount of forest burned this year is higher than in any other year measured,” Lang said.

That number is expected to continue climbing for months.

“I don’t think we’re going to be in the clear until the snow flies,” said Lang. “I think there’s going to be smoke around for the next at least a couple months because the fires are still very active, and there’s nothing to put them out.”

Air Quality Health Index ratings of 10+, or very high risk, have been observed on both Monday and Tuesday this week.

More information is available on the Environment Canada alerts webpage.

— With files from Discover Weyburn