UPDATE: The air quality statement for most of Saskatchewan has ended, along with the heat warning
Many areas of Saskatchewan are currently under a special air quality statement due to smoke from wildfires, and a heat warning is in place for the southwest corner of the province.
Special air quality statement
Environment Canada said widespread smoke from Alberta is expected to move into southern regions Thursday morning, resulting in degraded air quality, hazy skies and reduced visibility.
Conditions are expected to improve overnight as a cold front moves in, but hazy or smoky conditions are expected to return on Friday.
READ MORE: Northern Saskatchewan wildfires force more Pelican Narrows residents from homes
For central and northern parts of the province, high levels of air pollution from wildfires continue to affect those regions.
Southerly winds are expected to clear the heaviest smoke overnight, which will move to the northern regions.
People may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath.
Children, seniors, and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk from the poor air quality.
READ MORE: RMs of Vanscoy and Montrose under fire ban
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Officials said people experiencing breathing difficulties should stay indoors and find a place that is cool and ventilated.
Heat warning
In the southwest corner of the province, a heat warning is in place as a low pressure system tracking into the region continues to spread heat northwards out of the United States.
A cold front moving through the region Thursday afternoon is expected to bring some relief, with overnight lows between 12 and 15 degrees.
Environment Canada said people should watch for the effects of heat illness including swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
It also advises people to drink plenty of water, stay in a cool place, schedule outdoor activities for the coolest parts of the day and to not leave pets inside a parked vehicle.
For the latest weather alerts, download the Global News SkyTracker weather app.
Special air quality statement for:
- Pelican Narrows – Cumberland House – Creighton
Special air quality statement end for:
- Saskatoon
- Lloydminster
- Leader – Gull Lake
- Swift Current – Herbert – Cabri – Kyle – Lucky Lake
- Shaunavon – Maple Creek – Val Marie – Cypress Hills
- Moose Jaw – Pense – Central Butte – Craik
- Assiniboia – Gravelbourg – Coronach
- Martensville – Warman – Rosthern – Delisle – Wakaw
- Outlook – Watrous – Hanley – Imperial – Dinsmore
- The Battlefords – Unity – Maidstone – St. Walburg
- Kindersley – Rosetown – Biggar – Wilkie – Macklin
- Prince Albert – Shellbrook – Spiritwood – Duck Lake
- Meadow Lake – Big River – Green Lake – Pierceland
- La Ronge – Prince Albert Nat. Park – Narrow Hills Prov. Park
- Fond-du-Lac – Stony Rapids
- Cree Lake – Key Lake
- Wollaston Lake – Collins Bay
- Southend – Brabant Lake – Kinoosao
Heat warning ended for:
- Leader – Gull Lake
- Swift Current – Herbert – Cabri – Kyle – Lucky Lake
- Shaunavon – Maple Creek – Val Marie – Cypress Hills
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