Much of northwestern Ontario will see smoke pour in from the prairies over the next few days.
Over 80 wildfires continue to burn as thousands of Albertans have been forced to evacuate their homes and leave everything behind. Premier Danielle Smith declared a provincial State of Emergency over the weekend due to the out of control situation.
A tool that tracks the movement of smoke throughout Canada shows the northern parts of northwestern Ontario can expect to see a hazy sky tonight around 7 p.m. due to the smoke.
Courtesy www.firesmoke.ca
By 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, the smoke is expected to cover most of the region from the Manitoba border to east of Dryden and Ignace, but ending west of Raith and Thunder Bay.
Courtesy www.firesmoke.ca
Environment Canada says smoke from the Alberta fires has also made its way north through the Arctic and down through southern Ontario, but no air quality statements have been sent out so far due to the height of the smoke.
If an air quality statement is issued for the region, information will be made available immediately.
Meanwhile, conditions in Ontario have remained relatively wet with the recent weather in the forecast but the area’s forest fire hazard remains listed as moderate to high, with two active fires in the region.
Red Lake Fire #1 is listed at 0.1 hectares. Kenora Fire #5 near Wabaseemoong has hit 0.3 hectares.
With a slow start to the season, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has sent 110 personnel, including 79 Fire Rangers, to Alberta to assist their fire staff for the time being.
Residents are reminded to always follow Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations.
