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UPDATE: The special air quality statement had ended in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON – The general public is being asked to consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities after Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement Tuesday night in Saskatchewan.

The southeast portion of Saskatchewan is experiencing a moderate health risk from forest fire smoke.

Environment Canada says elevated particulate matter readings from air quality sensors are still showing reduced air quality.

The smoke has cleared out of southwestern Saskatchewan already and is forecast to dissipate Thursday across the southeastern portion of the province.

The agency’s website states, “children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems should take care. People in good health should consider reducing strenuous activities outdoors.”

Smoke has wafted into the region from the Northwest Territories where 118 fires are burning.

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118 Fires Burning in the Northwest Territories Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Courtesy nwtfire.com

A northerly flow through the day Tuesday enhanced what was already a hazy situation thanks to a northwesterly flow in the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere that started bringing smoke into the area Monday night.

As the sun set Monday night, a neon pink sun was viewed by many across the city.

Lots of haze outside, but it does give for a very interesting view of the sun through out towercam! #yxe #SkyTracker pic.twitter.com/3Lx936Fts4 — Peter Quinlan (@PQuinlanGlobal) July 8, 2014

By late-afternoon Tuesday, air quality in Saskatoon was reduced to a level 4 on the air quality health index (AQHI), which is considered to be a “moderate risk”.

Air quality is expected to continue worsening Tuesday night, dropping to a 5 on the AQHI index scale.

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Special air quality statement ENDED for:

Carlyle – Oxbow – Carnduff – Bienfait – Stoughton

City of Regina

Estevan – Weyburn – Radville – Milestone

Fort Qu’Appelle – Indian Head – Lumsden – Pilot Butte

Hudson Bay – Porcupine Plain

Humboldt – Wynyard – Wadena – Lanigan – Foam Lake

Kamsack – Canora – Preeceville

Melfort – Tisdale – Nipawin – Carrot River

Moose Jaw – Pense – Central Butte – Craik

Moosomin – Grenfell – Kipling – Wawota

Yorkton – Melville – Esterhazy

Related News Smoke blankets Saskatoon, lowering air quality