312: Canada's worst air quality of the year so far due to wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke has dramatically dropped the air quality readings for a decent portion of the Prairies, bringing hazardous and very unhealthy levels. The air quality will peak on Sunday with many in the region sitting at a 10+ on the air quality health index scale.
The ongoing wildfires in Western Canada have dropped the air quality to poor, even dangerous levels in a large portion of the region, with one community registering the country's worst reading so far in 2025.
Flin Flon, Man., is in the midst of a provincewide state of emergency with an evacuation order in place due to the ongoing wildfire that has pushed into the community. As a result, Flin Flon's air quality has sank to hazardous levels, reaching a ranking of 312 at one point on Sunday morning--the worst reading in Canada so far this year. It has since improved to reach a level below 300, but is still still unhealthy.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued air quality warnings and special air quality statements for parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Low-level smoke is creating dangerous air quality issues for portions of Canada over the next several days, while high-level smoke will persist in the skies over much of North America.
When will the air quality improve?
It should be noted that air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.
Air quality peaks at its worst on Sunday with many across rhe Prairies sitting at a 10+ out of 10+ on the air quality health index (AQHI) scale.
The last of the 30-degree weather finishes on Sunday for Manitoba, but a cold front will push southeastward, slashing temperatures from west to east across the Prairies.
As the cold front passes through the northern Prairies, it will bring a storm chance that raises the risk of creating new, lightning-caused wildfires.
The heaviest of the rain, which will beneficial for the fires and wildfire smoke, remains north of the major fires and the Yellowhead Highway, however.
Unfortunately, too, the winds will also add fuel to the fire as gusts of 50-70 km/h continue through Monday and into Tuesday.
Health hazards due to wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. Continue to take actions to protect your health and reduce exposure to 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.
ECCC has some helpful tips for Prairie residents affected by the smoke.
Stop outdoor activities and contact your health-care provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains. Stay inside if you are feeling unwell and experiencing symptoms.
If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.
When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
Use an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in a room where you spend a lot of time. Avoid air purifiers that produce ozone. Check the filter and change it if required.
With files from Laura Power, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, and Nathan Howes, a digital reporter at The Weather Network.