Air quality statements continue in the province
Air quality statements continue in the province
WATCH: As wildfires persist in northern Saskatchewan, air quality statements are in effect for parts of the province. Sabeen Ahmad has your forecast.
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CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
'We're keeping a couple bags packed': Weyakwin, Sask., residents start returning after evac order lifted
Social Sharing Lisa Powder and her great grandchildren were among the first Weyakwin residents to return home after fleeing a wildfire that burned dangerously close to the northern Saskatchewan community. "It's sad to come home to see it like this," Powder said while walking to a neighbour's house Thursday afternoon. "Kind of scary with all the smoke and knowing the fires are still around. So we're keeping a couple bags packed just in case." An evacuation order for Weyakwin, a hamlet located about 250 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, was lifted on Thursday, allowing residents back in for the first time in a week. Thick smoke remains, as does the threat of spot fires. Powder is grateful for the firefighters and other crews that stopped the fire from damaging a single building in the hamlet. There are small losses, though, like a favourite walking trail. Other losses will regrow. "We lost a good berry patch," Powder said. "That was the best blueberry patch in town." A handful of fire crews patrolled Weyakwin on Thursday, checking sprinklers and watching for spot fires. Jordan LaValle and his crew were glad to see people returning. They've been fighting off nearby Ditch fire since May. That's when LaValle, who grew up in Weyakwin and is a certified emergency firefighter, got a surprise visit while working his regular job at the La Ronge Co-op. "My crew showed up there and they needed a crew boss, so I ended up clocking out and told my boss I want to go firefighting and save the town," LaValle said. That's exactly what Lavalle's crews and dozens of other firefighters and volunteers did. Kalan Natonagan lives in Weyakwin and is part of LaValle's crew. On Thursday, he was heading out to extinguish a spot fire in the bush just down the street from his house. "It feels good to fight for my own community," Natonagan said. The fire burned much of the forest in the area. Charred trees and brush line Highway 2. "There's very little remaining out there," LaValle said. "You can't really see any wildlife or nothing." Working on the front line of an unprecedented wildfire season is a bit of a thrill, he said. "You couldn't even walk 50 feet and there was another guy there working to put out the fires," LaValle said. WATCH | Mother-daughter duo living out of an SUV after fleeing La Ronge fires: Mother-daughter duo living out of an SUV after fleeing La Ronge fires 19 hours ago Duration 2:20 Joslynn Thedorf and her 11-year-old daughter Hayleigh are calling their silver SUV — parked in a Prince Albert parking lot — their home for the time being. They joined the convoy that left La Ronge earlier this week as wildfires advanced on the northern Saskatchewan community. Powder stayed at Montreal Lake Cree Nation with other evacuees from Weyakwin, Timber Bay and Molanosa. They were treated well, but are happy to be home, even if there's a bit of a mess. "We got home and there was ash all over and the house smells like smoke, so I got the rug freshener and put it all over," Powder said. She knows she is one of the lucky evacuees. Thousands of displaced residents are still waiting to hear about their homes. As of Thursday afternoon, there were 27 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan, six of them not contained, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. "To the evacuees out there, please be patient," Powder said. "Have faith your homes will still be there. "We're praying for everybody to be safe."
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Ottawa air quality at ‘high risk' due to wildfire smoke
Smoke hangs over Ottawa's Major's Hill Park and Gatineau on Friday morning. Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement, warning smoke will cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. (Westin Camera) Smoke from wildfires will continue to hang over Ottawa today, causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec, warning wildfire smoke is expected to linger into this afternoon. The forecast calls for 'local smoke' today, tonight and on Saturday. 'Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility,' the weather agency said in a statement. 'As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.' As of 7 a.m., Ottawa's air quality was rated '10-High Risk.' The Air Quality Health Index shows Ottawa's air quality will be '10-High Risk' through the day and '7-High Risk' tonight. According to smoke from wildfires continues to blanket all of Ontario, western New York State and most of Quebec. The smoke is will linger over Ottawa into Saturday. Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks says when the Air Quality Health Index is at 'High Risk,' people with heart or breathing problems should 'reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors.' Children and the elderly should also take it easy, according to officials. The general population is urged to 'consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.' Environment Canada says you should keep your windows and doors closed as much as possible due to the wildfire smoke. Health Canada says wildfire smoke is a mix of gases, particles and water vapour that contains ozone, methane, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, fire particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The fine particles represent the main health risk from wildfire smoke. Common symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure include headaches, a mild cough, a production of mucus and nose, throat, eye and sinus irritation. Ottawa weather Environment Canada's forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud today. High 26 C with the humidex making it feel like 28. It will be mainly cloudy tonight. Low 14. Friday will have a mix of sun and cloud. High 25 C. Sunday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High 24 C. The outlook for Monday calls for cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers. High 21 C. A mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of showers on Tuesday. High 22 C. The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 23 C and a low of 12 C.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Wildfire smoke causing poor air quality in Greater Montreal
The skyline of Montreal is obscured by a haze of smog, Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Graham Hughes, The Canadian Press) Smoke from the wildfires in the Canadian Prairies is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in the Greater Montreal region. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a special air quality statement that may remain in effect until Saturday. READ MORE: Data capturing hot spots and burned acres show Canada wildfire season off to wild start 'As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors,' the agency notes. 'Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.' People most likely to suffer complications from air pollution include anyone aged 65 and older, pregnant women, infants and young children, people with existing illnesses or chronic health conditions and individuals who work outdoors. Common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. Severe but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains and severe cough. If you think you are having an emergency, seek immediate medical help. ECCC advises keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible. 'When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool,' it adds. 'Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good-quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.' Anyone who must go outside is encouraged to wear a mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) to reduce exposure to the fine particles in the smoke.
