Smoke prompts air quality statements for half of Saskatchewan

Lingeringsmoke from wildfires in Washington and British Columbia has prompted air quality statements from Environment Canada for the entiresouthern half of Saskatchewan.

By mid-morning on Saturday, the government agency had updated the air quality statements to affect the province's entire central and southern regions.

The statements warned ofreduced visibility and poor air quality for the weekend.

People traveling in the impacted areas"may experience temporary irritation of eyes and throat, and possibly shortness of breath," the statement read.

The air quality statement hasbeen issued for the following areas:

• Assiniboia - Gravelbourg - Coronach
• Carlyle - Oxbow - Carnduff - Bienfait - Stoughton
• City of Lloydminster
• City of Regina
• City of Saskatoon
• Estevan - Weyburn - Radville - Milestone
• Fort Qu'Appelle - Indian Head - Lumsden - Pilot Butte
• Hudson Bay - Porcupine Plain
• Humboldt - Wynyard - Wadena - Lanigan - Foam Lake
• Kamsack - Canora - Preeceville
• Kindersley - Rosetown - Biggar - Wilkie - Macklin
• Leader - Gull Lake
• Martensville - Warman - Rosthern - Delisle - Wakaw
• Meadow Lake - Big River - Green Lake - Pierceland
• Melfort - Tisdale - Nipawin - Carrot River
• Moose Jaw - Pense - Central Butte - Craik
• Moosomin - Grenfell - Kipling - Wawota
• Outlook - Watrous - Hanley - Imperial - Dinsmore
• Prince Albert - Shellbrook - Spiritwood - Duck Lake
• Shaunavon - Maple Creek - Val Marie - Cypress Hills
• Swift Current - Herbert - Cabri - Kyle - Lucky Lake
• The Battlefords - Unity - Maidstone - St. Walburg
• Yorkton - Melville - Esterhazy