Forest fire smoke covers the Calgary sky, and air quality is still moderate, says meteorologist

Forest fire smoke rolled up in Calgary Wednesday afternoon due to forest fires near Hudson Bay, Sask.

According to Environment Canada, wildfire has been the main source of shallow smoke in Alberta for the past few days.

In fact, a special air quality statement was issued Tuesday night affecting parts of central Alberta, including Edmonton.

On Wednesday, 5 p.m., there were still warnings for the following regions:

• Bonnyville – St. Paul – Cold Lake – Lac La Biche.
• Drumheller – three hills.
• Hanna – Coronation – Oyen.
• Lloydminster – Wainwright – Vermilion – Provost.
• Red deer – Ponoka – Innisfail – Stettler.

However, Calgary air quality was rated as moderate and there was not enough smoke to warrant a particular air quality statement.

“We saw the smoke plume move further south from the Edmonton area towards Calgary, and that resulted in some moderate to high air quality readings today,” said meteorologist Justin Shelley of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Shelley said changing winds were expected to pull smoke out of Saskatchewan by noon Thursday or earlier.

He added that they have been tracking upper level smoke from Montana for the past few days.