Smoke in Saskatchewan expected to be thick for Riders game

While Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny in some parts of Saskatchewan, for others it was hazy with smoke pressing down – and that smoke was expected to spread.

Through the week, smoke from wildfires in B.C. and Alberta has been sitting over parts of the province, prompting air quality advisories radiating out from the southwest corner.

By about 9 a.m. Saturday, the advisories were still up and people in the southwest, like those in Swift Current, were dealing with smoke up to a 14 on the air quality index. A seven is considered high.

Environment Canada meteorologist Eric Dykes said the smoke was moving east and was expected to start rolling into the Saskatoon area by late morning, and Regina in the afternoon.

The smoke was expected to be at its worst by kickoff in the Saskatchewan Roughriders game slated for Saturday evening, 5 p.m., at a seven or higher on the index.

“As we get through the game and to the end of the game, smoke will still be hanging around but it’ll start to be dissipating by the end of the game or so,” said Dykes.

As of 11 a.m., the Roughriders said the game was still slated for kickoff at 5 p.m. The team explained that it monitors the air quality for all games and outdoor practices using an air quality meter in the stadium.

If things were to become a concern, a team representative said discussions will be had with the CFL, the players’ association and the visiting Calgary Stampeders.

Saskatoon’s air quality was expected to start improving before Regina’s air quality.

“The winds are going to shift northerly first there so the smoke … is probably going to clear in Saskatoon first,” said Dykes.

He was forecasting a gradual improvement in the smoke overnight for areas near the eastern edge of the smoke, like Regina and Saskatoon.

“Certainly (there will be) some gradual improvement in the overnight hours and by the time we get (Sunday) morning, Regina itself and the southeast should be out of the smoke altogether,” said Dykes.

But given they’re closer to the source of the smoke, Dykes said it would take longer for smoke to clear in southwest communities.

“(That’s for) folks down in the Swift Current, Shaunavon region, Leader and so forth, where we’re probably going to be dealing with this smoke right through the weekend with some improvement looking like by the time we get to Monday morning.,” he explained.

When smoke is in the high category for the air quality index, Dykes said it’s best for people to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed or use an air purifier if they can’t, or go somewhere public indoors like a library or a community centre.