Saskatchewan wildfire smoke drifts into northwestern Ontario

Environment Canada meteorologists are keeping an eye on heavy plumes of smoke from wildfires burning in Saskatchewan that have drifted into parts of northwestern Ontario.

The weather office issued special weather statements about the smoke on Friday, that cover areas around Kenora, Fort Frances, Red Lake and Ear Falls, saying that the affected regions could experience deteriorated air quality.

The good news is that the smoke may not be around for long, said Peter Kimbell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, because winds are now coming out of the north.

"There should definitely be some improvement in air quality today," he said. "Particularly over the Red Lake and Kenora areas as [the smoke] goes from north to south."

"Air quality will improve today, it should be fine tomorrow," Kimbell added.

Smoke could return

Even though forecasters are predicting the smoke will clear soon, Kimbell said it could affect the northwest again later this weekend.

Winds are expected to shift again on Sunday, coming out of the south, which would mean the smoke that blows away today would come right back.  Predicted rain in the forecast would dampen that risk, Kimbell added.

"That will probably wash some of the particulate matter out of the air," he said. "It's probably not going to be nearly as bad as it is today."

Public health officials are reminding people in areas where smoke is present to take precautions, like staying indoors, keeping windows closed, and avoiding strenuous activities. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with illnesses like heart and lung disease are the most at risk, said Dr. Kit Young-Hoon, the medical officer of health at the Northwestern Health Unit.

"It's a bit hazy," said Young-Hoon, who is based in Kenora. "I'm going to try and reduce the amount of time that my kids spend outdoors today."