Latest news with #EnvironmentCanada
CTV News
2 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Air quality alert in effect for majority of Manitoba
A haze covering Winnipeg taken on May 31, 2025. (Gary Robson/CTV News Winnipeg) Wildfire smoke has prompted Environment Canada to issue air quality alerts for the majority of Manitoba, with smoke causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. As of Saturday morning, nearly 20 locations in the province are under an air quality warning which includes communities such as Flin Flon and Bissett that have been ordered to evacuate due to wildfire danger. 'Warm and dry conditions continue support wildfire activity this weekend,' states the air quality warning. 'The smoke will linger for a prolonged period near the source region of the fires.' Residents impacted by the air quality warning are advised to limit time outdoors and cancel outdoor activities. Environment Canada states that everyone's health is at risk during heavy smoke conditions, regardless of age or health status. As of 10 a.m. on Saturday, the air quality health index in Brandon indicates a very high health risk (10+). In Winnipeg, Saturday morning's air quality health index is 3, though the forecast maximum for Saturday and Sunday indicates that a very high health risk (10+) is possible. The last air quality health index available for Flin Flon, a city of roughly 5,000 that was placed under evacuation last Wednesday, reported a high health risk (9) last night.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Environment Canada issues air quality warning for Windsor area
A cloudy day in Windsor, Ont., on Thursday, April 27, 2017. (Melanie Borrelli / CTV Windsor) Although conditions today are more overcast, the cloud cover comes alongside a special air quality statement amid wildfires in parts of the country. Environment Canada says regions including Windsor, Chatham-Kent, Kenora and Sarnia are advised of smoke causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. The weather agency is advising residents to consider limiting time outdoors and be mindful of smoke exposure symptoms. - The Canadian Press Here's your Windsor area forecast Saturday: Cloudy. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud this morning. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 17. UV index 7 or high. Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Clearing late this evening. Low 6. Sunday: Sunny. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 late in the morning. High 21. UV index 7 or high. Monday: Sunny. High 24. Tuesday: Sunny. High 27. Wednesday: Cloudy with 30 per cent chance of showers. High 29.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Poor air quality in Sarnia-Lambton due to wildfire smoke
Lambton Public Health headquarters in Sarnia, Ont. are seen on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV London) A special air quality statement is in effect for Sarnia-Lambton on Saturday, issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The statement was prompted by wildfire smoke present in the area, which originated in forest fires in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario. It's expected that the smoke will clear from the area on Saturday evening and overnight, however, the Lambton Public Health Unit has issued some reminders about the risks associated with poor air quality. Those most at risk in poor air quality environments includes older adults, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions. Additionally, those that work outdoors and will spend lengthy times exposed the poor air quality are also at risk. It's recommended that those at risk limit strenuous outdoor activities, and monitor for symptoms. To help reduce chances of negative health impacts you can: drink plenty of water take extra precautions if you live near a highway or area where air quality could be impacted by traffic conditions keep windows and doors closed Symptoms include irritated eyes and difficulty breathing. If you are concerned about your health and experiencing symptoms due to exposure to poor air quality, it's recommended that you contact your healthcare provider.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfires force 17,000 to evacuate; smoke expected to hit the U.S. this weekend
Smoke from massive wildfires that are burning out of control across western and central Canada, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, is expected to move south toward the U.S. and reduce air quality across multiple northern states on Friday and Saturday. The fires have pushed the leaders of Canada's Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces to declare states of emergency, while other provinces, including Alberta and Ontario, are facing an 'extreme' risk of wildfires on Friday — the highest level on Environment Canada's risk scale. "The conditions that our northern residents, communities and wildland firefighters are facing today are as severe or quite likely unlike anything we have faced in quite some time, if not ever," Scott Moe, the premier of Saskatchewan, said at a press conference Thursday. Here's what we know. On Thursday, the country raised its National Preparedness Level, which describes the wildfire activity and demand for firefighters and equipment, to a 5, which is unusually high for this time of year. In 2024, Canada did not reach that level until mid-July. Roughly 17,000 residents have been evacuated from the affected areas, including the entire town of Flin Flon, where about 5,000 people live. This is 'the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory,' Premier Wab Kinew told reporters on Wednesday. 'This is a moment of fear and uncertainty. This is a moment of concern.' As fires continue to grow throughout the country, residents in Saskatchewan have also been ordered to evacuate. As of Friday morning, a state of emergency is still in effect in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and more than 80 fires have been classified as 'out of control.' The wildfire smoke is expected to travel south on Friday, therefore impacting parts of the U.S. over the weekend. While the smoke is anticipated to blow southward across the central and eastern states by Sunday, an expected wind pattern change from the south on Monday into Tuesday might help improve air quality, according to the Weather Channel. Winds blowing from north to south are likely to push the wildfire smoke into Midwestern states throughout Friday. Air quality alerts are in effect for Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service. The Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded numerical scale that helps people understand the health risks and exposures to airborne pollutants at any given time, is predicted to reach a level 3 or 4 in these areas. It's therefore recommended that residents who have conditions like heart disease or asthma keep windows closed and avoid going outside. (You can find your local AQI forecast by entering your ZIP code here.) States that may experience smoky skies throughout Friday also include: Montana North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Iowa Missouri Indiana Ohio The heaviest smoke concentrations are expected to be in: North Dakota South Dakota Minnesota Iowa Around the Great Lakes Moderate smoke could reach Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit by Friday evening. The highest concentrations of the wildfire smoke are expected to be around the Great Lakes. By Saturday, forecasters say that light to moderate smoke may even extend to parts of the East Coast, although it's uncertain whether it will be enough smoke to reduce air quality. Wildfire smoke is mostly made up of microscopic particulate matter with elements like acids, chemicals, metals, soil and dust from whatever the fire is burning, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. When inhaled, these elements can go deep inside a person's lungs and bloodstream, and research has proven that this inhalation from wildfire smoke is more dangerous to humans than pollution from other sources. Small particles of the smoke could stay in the air and continue moving throughout the area even weeks after the fires go out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that wildfire smoke can affect people immediately, causing physical reactions like wheezing, asthma attacks and chest pain. Canada had its worst wildfire season on record in June 2023, when more than 45 million acres burned. The previous record was set in 1995, when 17.5 million acres burned. Tens of thousands of Canadians were displaced for months as historically poor air quality drifted south into the U.S. The smoke from the Canadian wildfires engulfed the East Coast in an unusual, orange, low-visibility haze. By the end of 2023, Canada had experienced more than 6,000 wildfires. In June alone, more land burned in southern Quebec than in the previous 20 years combined. 'There's no question, extreme weather, record high temperatures and dry conditions caused by climate change intensified this year's wildfire crisis,' Jonathan Boucher, a Canadian Forest Services scientist, told Natural Resources Canada in December 2024.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires have forced thousands to flee communities across parts of Canada — see photos of the 'challenging' emergency
Wildfires have been burning out of control in parts of Canada, threatening several communities and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The conditions are so severe that Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency. According to Environment Canada's data on May 30, "extreme" conditions — the highest level — are also being seen in parts of Alberta, northeastern British Columbia, the southern parts of the territories and western Ontario. The poor conditions are also posing a threat to northern states in the U.S.; North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and states around the Great Lakes are expected to get the highest smoke concentrations over the next few days. "As we head into the weekend, pray for rain," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said at a Friday press conference. "We haven't seen rain in the forecast yet. That could really help — sustained rainfall, in particular. But in the absence of that, the past few days have been very challenging, and that may continue." When Kinew ordered a provincewide state of emergency on Wednesday, telling reporters this is "the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory." The press conference came after roughly 17,000 residents were evacuated from the affected areas. That includes the entire town of Flin Flon, an area of around 5,000 residents. "The only folks remaining on the ground are firefighters and folks in the office of the fire commissioner and RCMP, who are there to battle the blaze," Kinew said Friday. "We do expect some very, very challenging conditions in Flin Flon and in the surrounding community." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared a state of emergency Thursday: "It's a very serious situation that we're faced with," he said at a Prince Albert press conference, adding the province also needs to see some rain. Thousands have already evacuated their homes in the province. Below, see some of the most eye-widening photos from the incident that's ravaging parts of Western and Central Canada. Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets much of central North America. — CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) May 30, 2025 Wildfires in Manitoba, Canada have triggered the evacuation of over 17,000 people. These aerial shots are unbelievable. — Met4Cast. (@Met4CastUK) May 29, 2025 smoke from Canadian wildfires — ian (@bigseawaterite) May 30, 2025 The Canada wildfire smoke has arrived. Grass got tough fast. — Maria Cox (@MariaCoxFarm) May 31, 2025
