Air quality warning issued for Winnipeg due to wildfire smoke

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Environment Canada issued an air quality statement for much of southern Manitoba including Winnipeg due to wildfire smoke. Similar warnings have been issued for northwestern Ontario and the area around Flin Flon as well as parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

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Air quality warning issued for Winnipeg due to wildfire smoke Back to video

The air quality statement for southern Manitoba including Winnipeg was lifted at just before 6 p.m.

The province issued evacuation orders for a number of homes and cottages in the area around Flin Flon and The Pas and people in the surrounding area are being asked to be prepared to leave if the situation worsens because of extreme fire behaviour in the area due to drought conditions and high winds. In its bulletin on Sunday, the Manitoba government said it was currently responding to two fires of concern in the area, adding help is on the way from outside the province. It said 10 crews from Ontario are scheduled to arrive in Manitoba soon, while Saskatchewan is assisting with fire suppression through the use of air tankers.

As of Saturday evening, the fire near Flin Flon had grown to approximately 35,000 hectares in windy conditions and extreme fire activity. The fire is 38 km long and 12 km wide and has moved to within one kilometer of Cranberry Portage, forcing the community to begin the process of evacuating approximately 500 residents to The Pas, but that number may increase as conditions change. The fire near Wanless, north of The Pas is now around 1,500 hectares and crews are working to protect the hydro line between The Pas and Cranberry Portage.

Reception centres have been set up in both The Pas and Flin Flon to support evacuees.

The province issued a notice Sunday saying Highway 10 linking to Cranberry Portage has been closed due to poor visibility caused by smoke from the wildfire.

The start of Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ main training camp was delayed to Sunday afternoon due to poor air quality.

Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, Environment Canada said in the air quality statement.

A band of wildfire smoke is moving southwards through Manitoba. This band is bringing very poor air quality to the region.

The wildfires across Western Canada are also creating poor air quality in a number of regions spanning Manitoba to British Columbia, with Environment Canada reporting “very high risk” — or level 10-plus — on the air quality health index for Edmonton and Winnipeg as well as a number of small cities across the Prairies.

Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations, Environment Canada advises. Everyone can take action to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke. People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.

“Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell,” Environment Canada said in its air-quality warning, adding people should stay indoors if possible. “Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice.”

gdawkins@postmedia.com

X: @SunGlenDawkins