Forest Fires in Saskatchewan Causes Red Sun and Haze Over Chicagoland

Forest fires in Saskatchewan left a haze over Winnipeg, Canada yesterday and have now obscured the skies over Chicago.

The sun had a reddish tint this morning, but the sky is not obscured enough to affect the high temperature for the day. Tomorrow’s forecasted high has actually increased to 87°F — one degree higher than the high temperature forecast that was predicted early this morning.

According to Environment Canada, a west wind is pushing smoke from fires burning in Saskatchewan into Manitoba.

The bigger forest fires are burning in central Saskatchewan, but a number of smaller fires are burning near the border between Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Winnipeg’s air quality was rated as a “moderate risk” but the air quality in Chicago is not affected because the smoke is at much high altitude over Chicagoland.

Alert in Eastern Saskatchewan …

More forest fire smoke spreading across portions of Eastern Saskatchewan.

Smoke originating from Northern Saskatchewan forest fires is affecting the northeastern Grainbelt today. Much of this smoke will be aloft, but at times it could affect areas near the ground giving skies a hazy appearance and resulting in some deterioration of air quality.

Alert in Manitoba …

More forest fire smoke spreading across Manitoba.

Smoke originating from Saskatchewan forest fires spread across the southern half of Manitoba yesterday. It persisted all day, but cleared out overnight as an area of showers and thunderstorms moved through.

This morning, smoke has again spread into The Pas, Flin Flon, and Swan River and will drift southeastward over most of Southern Manitoba through the remainder of the day. Much of this smoke will be aloft, but at times it could affect areas near the ground giving skies a hazy appearance and resulting in some deterioration of air quality.

In September 2011 the Pagami Creek Forest Fire residents, police and fire officials in the northwest suburbs reported a burning electric or burning plastic smell and also reported seeing haze. The odor and haze drifted from north to south — initially being repoted in Palatine, then Arlington Heights, and then Schaumburg. The source of the odor, smoke and haze is reported to be a large forest fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota.

Saskatchewan is further away and the smoke this year has been carried into higher levels of the atmosphere.

Smell Something Burning? Minnesota Forest Fire Causes Very Wide Area of Smoke and Haze

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