Air quality advisory issued for northern, central Manitoba because of wildfire smoke

An air quality advisory has been issued for much of northern and central Manitoba due to wildfire smoke in the area.

That smoke is causing or expected to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility, both of which can fluctuate over short distances and vary considerably from hour to hour, Environment and Climate Change Canada said in an alert early Thursday morning.

The air quality advisory has been issued for the following communities:

• Grand Rapids - Waterhen, Man. 
• Swan River - Duck Mountain - Porcupine Provincial Forest, Man. 
• Norway House - Cross Lake - Wabowden, Man. 
• Island Lake - Oxford House - Gods Lake, Man. 

An air quality advisory also continues for a number of other communities, which are:

• The Pas - Wanless - Westray - Clearwater Lake Prov. Park, Man. 
• Brochet, Man.
• Tadoule Lake, Man. 
• Lynn Lake - Leaf Rapids - Pukatawagan, Man. 
• Thompson - Nelson House - Split Lake, Man. 
• Flin Flon - Cranberry Portage - Snow Lake, Man. 
• Churchill, Man. 
• York, Man. 
• Gillam, Man. 
• Shamattawa, Man. 

During heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk — regardless of age or health, the weather agency said. That's largely because of the fine particles in wildfire smoke, which pose the main health risk.

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