Saskatchewan blanketed by smoke from northern fires

Smoke from northern wildfires is blanketing much of the province this morning.

It's paintingthe sky grey and givinga distinctly campground aroma to the air. It's alsopromptinghealth warnings from Environment Canada.

"Alarge area of smoke from forest fires is blanketing much of Saskatchewan," said the air quality statement.

"Smoke near the ground may cause potentially high health risk concerns."

Children, seniors and people with breathing difficulties are those at highest risk.

The smoke is affecting residents from Uranium City in the north to Oxbow in the southeast and all points in between. AndEnvironment Canada is continuing to addcommunities to its list.

At 6:06 a.m. CST itissued special air quality statements for 45 new communities, including Saskatoon and Regina.

The smoky conditions are forecast to last until at least mid week.