Thick smoke caused by forest fires near the Manitoba-Ontario border

Smoke originating from forest fires in the Red Lake and Bissett areas near the Manitoba-Ontario border has brought a thick haze into the City of Winnipeg.

Parts of southeastern Manitoba are affected as well, including an area that spans from Arborg to Portage la Prairie to Falcon Lake.

Coverage of wildfires on Globalnews.ca:

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The smoke caused Environment Canada to issue a special Air Quality Statement because of elevated pollution levels.

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Meteorologist Mark Melsness told Global News the smoke is expected to “linger for awhile.”

READ MORE: Haze over Manitoba caused by smoke from B.C. and Alberta wildfires

Melsness also encouraged everyone, especially those with respiratory issues, to limit their time outdoors.

On Thursday, there were a total of 444 wildfires burning in the province.

Winnipeg has also seen more smoky skies than normal. Environment Canada said the city has had over 50 hours of smoke so far in 2018 before Thursday while the average is 15 hours per year.