SaskatoonThick smoke has spread back through Saskatchewan, prompting air quality warnings to be in effect through the majority of the province.Air quality in Saskatoon set to reach ‘very high risk’ by Monday afternoonHalyna Mihalik · CBC News · Posted: Sep 01, 2025 2:40 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoAir quality in Saskatoon and Prince Albert set to reach level 10 by Monday afternoon. (CBC News)Air quality warnings are in effect throughout parts of Saskatchewan as thick smoke hangs in the air Monday from forest fires in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories.This has prompted air quality warnings to be issued for western parts of the province, for areas bordering Alberta, as well as for Central areas like Saskatoon.Some cities are expected to see an air quality index of 10 or more throughout Monday and Tuesday, including Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Heavy smoke is forecast to linger throughout the week.”Unfortunately, with the concentration of the smoke that is still coming and the direction the winds coming from, it looks like it’s probably gonna get worse before it gets better,” Dave Carlsen, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada told CBC.Several northern communities are similarly affected by air quality warnings, which are in place from Buffalo Narrows up into Uranium City. Buffalo Narrows and surrounding areas are expected to see “very high risk” conditions by Tuesday.Smoke will spread to southern Saskatchewan”We’re looking at all of that smoke invading a lot of the province over the next couple of days,” Carlsen said. “It’s pretty bad smoke.”A northerly wind flow behind a cold front that’s just passed through the province will shift smoke toward the south.Smoke plumes from fires in the north are set to spread through much of southern Saskatchewan by Monday night and air quality warnings will likely be expanded by Tuesday.Carlsen said the smoke will make its way through the entire province, moving toward the south. This will likely provide some areas with temporary relief for 24 hours, before smoke passes back toward the north. Environment Canada is advising people to limit the time they spend outdoors and consider postponing outdoor sports and activities.”Not only can the can the smoke become a problem in the short term, but even if you’re exposed to it a little bit at a time over a few days, you can find yourself coughing or having difficulty with watery eyes,” Carlsen said. “So just stay inside with good filtered air as much as possible.”ABOUT THE AUTHORHalyna Mihalik is a journalist and weather specialist for CBC Saskatchewan. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Regina. Halyna enjoys stories about advocacy, local politics and rural communities. Send Halyna news tips at halyna.mihalik@cbc.caWith files from David Boles, the Canadian Press
Air quality warnings issued in Sask. as thick smoke blankets province for next week
