The Bell fire north of Hudson Bay. (Prince Albert Grand Council/Submitted)

By Brent Bosker/CKOM News

Air quality expected to improve for some, but smoke to linger: Environment Canada

Oct 6, 2021 | 10:36 AM

A break from the wildfire smoke that is lingering over central and west-central Saskatchewan is coming a day later than expected.

Air quality statements remained in effect Wednesday morning for communities along the Yellowhead Highway corridor as well as the Kindersley and Rosetown regions.

Brad Vrolijk, a lead forecaster with Environment Canada, said a low-pressure system from Alberta will move into the province, pushing the smoke northward into the Prince Albert and Meadow Lake areas.

“Right now, there is a frontal boundary that’s draped across the Prairies. To the southeast of that line, it’s been quite warm and you generally have southerly winds. To the north of that line, it’s cooler and you have northeasterly winds,” said Vrolijk.

“That front didn’t push quite as far north Tuesday as forecast. Much of central Saskatchewan stayed in the easterly- northeasterly winds which kept feeding that smoke from the Hudson Bay region. We do expect by the end of the day there should be quite a bit of improvement.”

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According to Environment Canada, east-central areas will be back in the smoke Thursday night. An area of high pressure will settle over the region and direct smoke into the Yorkton region.

Vrolijk said smoke will continue to be an ongoing issue for the province until the wildfires near Hudson Bay calm down.

As of Wednesday morning, there were 14 active wildfires across the province, half of which are burning out of control.

For health information on air quality statements visit Environment Canada’s website.