That's probably a question you're asking right now as you go about your day today. Environment and Climate Change Canada placed a 'Special Air Quality Warning' for southeast Saskatchewan today - the first of its kind this year. Meteorologist Danielle Desjardins noted that this is due to a lot of wildfires burning nearby.
"We have had quite a few wildfires spark up over the last several days. We've got hot, dry and windy conditions which is conducive to the ignition and spread of wildfires, including grass fires. So, there are some ongoing fires in central Saskatchewan, central Manitoba, kind of closer to the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border and that's the smoke that we're seeing that is tracking to the south. We've got northerly winds in behind a cold front that passed through the area which is what has brought the smoke into southern Saskatchewan."
According to FireSmoke.ca, an independent smoke forecast tracker, there are a good amount of wildfires burning along the Manitoba border. Around 6 reported wildfires are also currently burning around Dauphin, MB, which are producing a lot of smoke that's being sent to the southeast.
Desjardins added that the smoke won't be lingering in the area for too long. Winds are expected to push the smoke out by tomorrow. There are some wildfires along the US-Canada border that could still bring some smoke, but the weather agency isn't calling for it to be severe. "Right now, it looks as though the smoke should track out of the area as the weekend progresses. But, of course, this is assuming that there are no new wildfires that ignite."
A small reprive from the smoky weather could be on its way, but the risks of a wildfire is still strong for the area. Environment and Climate Change Canada is calling for hot and dry conditions mixed with strong winds for the next few days, with highs hovering around 33 to 34 degrees.
She warned that smoky conditions could pose some dangerous health risks for everyone, but particularly those with respiratory conditions.
"Smoke in the air affects everybody and it is not good for the respiratory system. Unfortunately staying indoors and, you know, keeping that smoke out of the house is one of the best ways to protect yourself when the air quality is poor. There are people that are particularly susceptible to smoke inhalation, including people with respiratory illnesses, the elderly, young children, pregnant women."
"Limiting your time outdoors and limiting your exposure is the best way to keep safe during these times. Additionally, with the heat coming in, especially to southeastern Saskatchewan for the weekend, that's just going to exacerbate any of these conditions. So, heat and smoke -- it's a little bit worse when you combine those two things."
The weather agency considered different data points before they declared the Special Air Quality Statement this morning, including air quality sensors and satellite imagery. "Our air quality sensors, they measure different things in the air like particulate matter in the air and that's what we use to determine the air quality. So once we see that smoke coming in from satellites and we start seeing those those sensors picking up on that, there's a few factors that determine whether we issue the air quality statement."
Particularly for the southeast, she noted that the smoke plumes coming from Manitoba were "pretty visible on the satellite imagery" and that the smoke were making their way to the area.
Desjardins warns that due to the hot, dry and windy conditions in the area this weekend, the likelihood of wildfires being started is high. "Definitely stay on top of whether or not there's a fire ban in your municipality or your area. There have been a few issues over the Prairies over the past several days. Conditions are primed for the ignition and spread of wildfires and we don't want to be contributing to that as humans. So taking proper fire safety and even being careful about your activities, you know running exhaust by dry grass [can even] cause the ignition of wildfire."
You can stay up-to-date with the latest weather information anytime on the CARSTAR Hail-Otto Weather Page.