Northern Manitoba dealing with air quality warnings as wildfires continue to burn – Winnipeg | 24CA News
An air high quality warning for six communities in Northern Manitoba is elevating considerations over the way forward for wildfire smoke within the province.
The warnings got here into impact shortly after 8 a.m. on June 26, affecting the areas round Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Snow Lake, Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids, and Pukatawagan. Environment Canada, in issuing its statements, famous that the smoke was a results of wildfires burning close to the communities.
A complete of 42 fires are actively burning throughout the province, bringing the overall for the 12 months to 143. An out-of-control hearth, in line with the province, is burning eight kilometres exterior the city of Leaf Rapids.
Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, mentioned the forecast for the following few weeks doesn’t bode effectively. Smoke, she famous, travels within the route of the wind — a route that usually strikes west to east. But generally, that route can shift, carrying over smoke from close by fires within the east.
“Smoke can be transported a great distance. We don’t need to be close to a source to have poor air quality,” mentioned Hasell.
“Northwest Ontario fires definitely affect us (as well as) fires in the proximity. Anything in Manitoba certainly will be of concern, especially to people who are closer to it — even at a distance.”
With fires burning throughout the nation, Hasell affirmed that smoke from locations like central Ontario and Quebec received’t be a priority. But, she mentioned, smoke can journey from provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C.
Ultimately, the problem of smoke raises questions over safeguarding particular person well being.
“We issue the special air quality statements to remind you that the air quality is poor to the point where it can affect your health. Beyond poor visibility and weird sky colours… everyone is affected by smoke,” mentioned Hasell.
The meteorologist additionally famous a number of methods to guard towards poor air high quality, advising the usage of masks and pushing to rethink the necessity to keep or work exterior.
Today’s statements come days after related warnings have been issued for components of southern Manitoba. At the time, town of Winnipeg underwent hazy, smoky situations with a average well being danger to residents.
Currently, Environment Canada has said the air high quality index for town will stay at low danger till Wednesday.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
