Smoke continues to overstay its welcome in Saskatchewan

With smoke continuing to drift across the province causing relatively high levels of air pollution, many people are probably wondering when the smoky conditions will clear up.

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang, the majority of the smoke we’ve been witnessing is blowing in from afar, but some is emanating from closer to home.

“The vast majority of the smoke is coming from the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, with small contributions from local smoke from fires in Saskatchewan — of which there aren’t very many. And there are a few left over in Alberta as well,” Lang said Tuesday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said there were 30 active wildfires in the province. One was contained, one was not contained, crews were protecting property at four of the fires, and 24 were being monitored.

To date, there have 449 fires in the province this year, well above the five-year average of 374 for this time of year.

Special air quality statements remained in effect for parts of eastern Saskatchewan on Tuesday afternoon as well as areas in the far north, but the statements for Regina and Saskatoon were lifted earlier in the day.

When asked when people can expect an end to the smoky conditions, Lang said that was the million-dollar question.

“If I knew that, I would be a very rich person,” she said. “Nobody knows. Usually by now it’s sort of simmered down, but there were temperatures in the 30s in British Columbia over the weekend and wind, so that really fanned those fires.

“It’s still quite warm and dry up in the Northwest Territories. Those fires are still going. So far, September has been quite warm and quite dry across much of Western Canada, so there’s been nothing to slow the fires down. So they’ll keep going until winter shows up.”

Across most of Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, it has been a very bad year for smoke.

As of Tuesday, Regina has experienced 257 hours of smoke this season; the previous record of 184 hours was set in 2021. Saskatoon, Prince Albert and La Ronge have all set new smoke hour records due to this year’s fire season.

As the smoke continues, Environment Canada advises people to keep an eye on the Air Quality Health Index and avoid strenuous activities outdoors when there are special air quality statements in effect.

People who are older, who are pregnant or who work outside are advised to reduce their exposure, as are children and people with any existing illnesses or chronic health conditions.