Smoke blanketing much of Sask. considered 'very high risk' to health
Wildfire smoke made for poor air quality and reduced visibility in many parts of Saskatchewan on Monday, according to Environment Canada.
On Monday morning, the air quality index in Saskatoon reached 10, which is considered a “high risk” to health, while Regina was considered “very high risk,” because the index surpassed 10.
Environment Canada said health risks increase as smoke levels rise.
Jaimie Peters, a registered nurse with Lung Saskatchewan, recommends anyone at risk stay indoors and take extra precaution.
“We want to make sure that people with lung disease have their medications on hand, are taking those, and are using their rescue medications as needed,” she said.
Peters recommends checking air quality reports before going outside and avoiding the smoke when possible.
“We want to stay away from the smoke as much as we can, right, so that obviously would include staying inside, making sure everything that brings air into your home is closed, such as windows or vents,” she said.
Some people in the Saskatoon area said they are sensitive to the smoke.
“Now that I'm outside, I can definitely notice it, I feel it in my eyes,” Karla Polsfut said.
“I do have severe asthma, so I do notice it significantly in my chest, sore throat, and all the allergies on top of that,” Kelly Weimer said.
Others said they haven’t been affected by it.
“It’s not bad at all today, seems good,” Claire Wandler said.
Environment Canada said the smoke is expected to taper off Monday evening, with low to moderate levels in the forecast for Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post
Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.'
Trudeau will have to 'kiss the ring' to achieve smoother bilateral relations with Trump: John Bolton
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to get on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's good side for the sake of a smooth bilateral relationship, he'll likely have to be openly deferential, says former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton.
Toronto agency launches court challenge against new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites
A social agency that runs a supervised consumption service (SCS) in Toronto’s Kensington Market has launched a court challenge against new legislation that will see 10 such sites shuttered across the province, arguing that the law violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
MAID cases rose to 15,000 in 2023, but growth of cases halved
More than 15,000 people received medical assistance in dying in Canada in 2023, but federal statistics show the growth in cases has slowed significantly.
Luxury real estate brokers charged in federal indictment with sex trafficking in NYC
Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with luring, drugging and violently raping dozens of women over more than a decade.
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of 'man-made holes and tunnels' during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
Certain foods may disrupt your body's fight against cancer cells, study says
The food you eat may be affecting your body’s ability to fight cancer cells in the colon, according to a new study.
Banks lower prime rates following Bank of Canada move
Canadian financial institutions are lowering their prime lending rates to match the decrease announced by the Bank of Canada.