Wildfire smoke to linger into the weekend: Environment Canada

Saskatchewan’s hazy days will last a little longer.

Smoke from forest fires burning in British Columbia has settled over much of the province, with central areas all the way to Prince Albert blanketed by the lingering smoke.

Its stay might be brief, but its return is imminent, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Mike McDonald.

“Until we see a significant precipitation event go across the prairies, we probably expect to at least see hazy conditions last for the next five or six days,” McDonald said of Saskatchewan’s forecast into next week.

McDonald said smoke is “still fairly thick across basically the southern half of the province” and that a cold front over much of central Saskatchewan will have shifting winds following behind it.

“Winds should shift around more to a northerly direction, which will help flush out some of this thick smoke,” he said.

Special air quality statements issued to much of the province will stay intact.

Air quality health index, a scale that helps understand the impact of air quality on health with low-risk ratings of one to high-risk ratings of 10, reached values as high as nine in Saskatoon on Wednesday.

Regina’s air quality health index was four for most of the day.

McDonald said air quality should improve in Saskatchewan throughout Thursday, but the reprieve from the smoke will be brief.

“Right now, looks like this will be fairly short-lived,” he said. “Winds will shift back around to the southwest on late day Friday into Saturday, so we’re looking for the smoke to push back into the region later in the week and over the weekend.”