Northwestern Ontario will see another hazy sky today due to smoke from Alberta’s wildfire situation.
A tool that tracks the movement of smoke throughout Canada shows much of the area is already covered by a thin layer of smoke, with more dense smoke expected by 6 p.m. tonight in the northern part of the region.
Two areas east of Thunder Bay and north of Dryden will see the thick smoke hit their neighbourhood late tonight, estimated to be around 10 p.m., clearing back down to a thin layer of smoke by 6 a.m.
Much of the smoke is then expected to travel south through Manitoba and Minnesota tomorrow. No air quality statements have been sent out at this time.
Alberta’s emergency wildfire situation began two weeks ago, and since, 14 evacuation orders have forced an estimated 20,000 residents out of their homes. Alberta Wildfire says 87 fires are still burning in the province, 24 of which are listed as out of control.
In northwestern Ontario, Ministry crews located Thunder Bay Fire #2 near Rushbay Lake on Sunday afternoon, and the 1.5 hectare fire is listed as not yet under control. It’s the lone fire still active in the area.
The MNRF lists our forest fire hazard has high across the region, with an extreme hazard in parts of the Red Lake sector along the Manitoba border.
Residents are reminded to always follow Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations.
