Wildfire smoke from B.C. prompts Sask. air quality statement

Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement for central and southern Saskatchewan communities as smoke from wildfires in B.C. blows into the area.

The special air quality statement has been issued for:

• Leader - Gull Lake
• Carlyle- Oxbow - Carnduff - Bienfait - Stoughton
• Swift Current - Herbert - Cabri - Kyle - Lucky Lake
• Shaunavon - Maple Creek - Val Marie - Cypress Hills
• Moose Jaw - Pense - Central Butte - Craik
• Moosomin- Grenfell - Kipling - Wawota
• Assiniboia - Gravelbourg - Coronach
• City of Regina
• Fort Qu'Appelle - Indian Head - Lumsden - Pilot Butte
• Estevan - Weyburn - Radville - Milestone

The weather agency says smoke plumes moving over portions of southern Saskatchewan from forest fires in B.C. have resulted in lower air quality in the area.

People may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors, and peoplewith cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.

Monitor conditions

Ministry of Health chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said people with some underlying conditions should stay inside if the sky looks hazy enough that it is difficult to see beyond one or two kilometres.

"What that means is that if you are otherwise well and healthy you don't really have to modify your outdoor activities," Shahab.

"But if you have underlying health conditions like chronic lung disease or heart disease, orif you have an individual sensitivity to smoke, then probably it's a good idea to not do too much outdoors."

Visit Environment Canada's websitefor current and forecast air quality health indexvalues for Saskatchewan and firesmoke.ca for smoke forecasts.