Wildfire smoke engulfs Saskatoon as over 100 active fires burning in Sask.
Saskatoon residents woke up Sunday morning to thick smoke and limited visibility caused by wildfires raging across Saskatchewan.
“Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,” Environment Canada said in an advisory issued early Sunday morning warning that the combination of heat and very poor air quality in smoke will increase health risks.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported 105 active fires burning in the province as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday. This year, Saskatchewan has seen a significant increase in wildfires, with 403 recorded so far – 272 more than the five-year average.
“During heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk,” Environment Canada said.
(Hayatullah Amanat/CTV News)
The federal agency asks people to reduce or stop outdoor activities if they experience symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as serious but less common symptoms such as chest pains or severe cough.
This comes as Saskatoon has been dealing with a prolonged period of extreme heat. A heat warning has been in place in the city since Thursday.
Daytime high temperatures are expected to reach 32 C and above, with a humidex of 36 C making it feel even muggier. Overnight lows are expected to be 17 C over the next several days.
“A slow-moving ridge of high pressure is responsible for bringing the extreme heat into Saskatchewan. The heat warnings will likely be expanded eastward over the coming days,” the advisory reads.
People are asked to stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., whenever possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7027051.1725573856!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Girl, 15, set on fire in assault at Saskatoon high school: police
A 15-year-old girl was set on fire in an assault at Saskatoon's Evan Hardy Collegiate Thursday afternoon, police say.
Ontario cutting funding from daycare centres not in $10-a-day program
Ontario child-care centres that aren't participating in the national $10-a-day program will soon lose provincial funding to offer fee subsidies to lower-income families and their staff could see a pay cut of $2 an hour.
Teen accused of killing 4 at Apalachee High is set to appear in court. His father was also arrested
The 14-year-old accused of fatally shooting four people at his high school in Georgia was expected to make his first court appearance Friday, a day after his father was also arrested for allowing his son to have a weapon.
'It's remarkable!': Meteor captured on Calgary doorbell camera
You never know what you might find in your doorbell camera footage...
Federal government's new hybrid work rules begin Monday: Here's what you need to know
Starting Monday, Sept. 9, federal employees in the core public administration will be required to be in the office a minimum of three days a week, and executives will need to be on-site a minimum of four days a week.
Search continues for 'armed and dangerous' suspect after fatal New Brunswick shooting
The New Brunswick RCMP says the search continues Friday in the Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church) First Nation area for a man who is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting.
Inside the Georgia high school where a sleepy morning was pierced by gunfire
It was the middle of second period at Apalachee High School, and the boy who few knew slipped out of his algebra class in J Hall again. That didn't strike his fellow students as unusual.
Jacob Hoggard seeking to appeal his sexual assault conviction to the Supreme Court
Former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard is seeking leave to appeal his sexual assault conviction to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first man to score 900 career goals
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his illustrious career in Portugal's UEFA Nations League group stage match against Croatia in Lisbon on Thursday.