Manitoba skies darkened by smoke from Saskatchewan fires

WINNIPEG – Smoke from northern Saskatchewan fires affected air quality across almost all of Manitoba Thursday morning.

Only northeastern Manitoba wasn’t listed in a special air quality statement issued by Environment Canada as northwesterly winds increased the smoke that has hung over the province for most of the week.

READ MORE: Thick smoke making Saskatchewan wildfires less volatile: officials

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Areas closest to the Saskatchewan border are the most affected by reduced visibility and poor air quality, the statement said.

Smoky conditions are expected to continue Friday but lessen Saturday as winds turn to come from the south.

READ MORE: GlobalNews.ca forecasts

Communities affected by the air quality statement are:

• Winnipeg;
• Brandon, Carberry, Treherne;
• Portage la Prairie, Headingley, Brunkild, Carman;
• Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Dominion City, Vita, Richer;
• Morden, Winkler, Altona, Emerson, Morris;
• Selkirk, Gimli, Stonewall, Woodlands, Eriksdale;
• Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Snow Lake;
• Thompson, Nelson House, Split Lake;
• Virden, Souris;
• Melita, Boissevain, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park;
• Killarney, Pilot Mound, Manitou;
• Dugald, Beausejour, Grand Beach;
• Bissett, Nopiming Provincial Park, Pine Falls;
• Whiteshell, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa;
• Sprague, Northwest Angle Provincial Forest;
• Grand Rapids;
• Arborg, Hecla, Fisher River, Gypsumville, Ashern;
• Dauphin, Roblin, Winnipegosis;
• Minnedosa, Neepawa, Russell, Riding Mountain National Park;
• Ste. Rose, McCreary, Alonsa, Gladstone;
• The Pas, Wanless, Westray, Clearwater Lake Provincial Park;
• Swan River, Duck Mountain, Porcupine Provincial Forest;
• Norway House, Cross Lake, Wabowden;
• Poplar River;
• Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein, Atikaki;
• Brochet; and
• Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and Pukatawagan.