Smoky conditions in the Melfort area on Aug. 4. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Lingering haze

Cooler temperatures expected to bring small break from wildfire smoke

Aug 4, 2021 | 5:42 PM

It will be a recurring story for much of the rest of summer, wildfire smoke is blanketing the province.

The Northeast seems to be experiencing the smoke a bit more over the last day or two according to Brad Vrolijk with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“It is lingering smoke from fires north of Hudson Bay and north of Prince Albert,” Vrolijk said. “The cloudier conditions and slightly cooler temperatures have helped ease off the smoke production of the fires a bit but with not a lot of wind, the smoke is lingering in the area.”

Some improvement is expected in the next 24 to 36 hours.

“As the temperature stays on the slightly cooler side and the wind stays hopefully away from actively burning fires, we aren’t expecting crystal clear skies anytime soon and the lingering haze will stick around for the next couple of days,” Vrolijk said.

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As we head toward the weekend, another warm-up moves in, as does a new batch of smoke from British Columbia.

“Almost any wind direction will start blowing smoke in at some point,” Vrolijk said. “Generally speaking, as it warms up, again the fires in the region will start producing more smoke.”

A special air quality statement has been issued in the area and is aimed toward those with respiratory issues.

“Along with the alerts and forecast for air quality, use your eyes and nose and if you can smell, it may be enough to reduce your time outside if you have sensitivities,” Vrolijk said.

The days when it is just haze instead of smoke, he encourages more outside time.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser