Saskatoon under air quality warning as wildfire smoke blows in from the north

Saskatoon residents are feeling the effects of the province’s northern wildfires on Monday, as a northerly wind has blown heavy smoke into central Sask.

Saskatoon residents are feeling the lingering effects of the province’s northern wildfires on Monday, as a northerly wind has blown heavy smoke into central Saskatchewan.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an air quality warning after 4 a.m. Monday, advising anyone likely to be affected by smoke, including infants and young children, seniors, people with chronic conditions and those who work outdoors to limit time outside and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms.

The air quality index for the day is listed as 10-plus — considered a very high risk to health.

“During heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or health status,” Environment Canada said.

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“Limit time outdoors. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, or a mild cough.”

If you experience more serious symptoms like wheezing, chest pains or severe cough, you should seek medical attention, Environment Canada says.

The warning comes as Saskatchewan’s north faces a resurgence in fire activity that’s triggered a second wave of evacuations.

Hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes in the province’s northwest, including the communities of Beauval, and the English River First Nation communities of Patuanak and La Plonge.

Last week, firefighters launched a defensive battle in Beauval as flames from the sprawling Muskeg fire reached the community from the north during an unexpected change in wind direction.

Now smoke from that blaze, and the other 55 active forest fires in the province, has followed some of the evacuees to Saskatoon.

The toxic haze is expected to dissipate slightly on Tuesday, but the air quality will remain in the high-risk range, according to Environment Canada.