The abundance of wildfires and resulting smoke from Saskatchewan caused air quality to drop and temperatures to rise across the province. Making matters worse was pollutants that were already in the air — and causing slightly higher numbers on the air quality health index — which became trapped at the surface by the smoke.

This extreme weather event was observed twice in 2021, in mid-July starting on July 15, 2021, and the beginning of October starting on October 5, 2021.

Observations included reduced visibility with the smoke haze, poor air quality and higher temperatures.

Link to Edmonton Journal article HERE.