Wildfire smoke triggers yellow air quality alert for southwest Alberta
Environment Canada warns that haze drifting from B.C.'s East Kootenay region will push through the Crowsnest Pass and reach Lethbridge by late Friday into Saturday.
Why it matters
Elevated smoke levels can pose health risks, particularly for children, seniors and people with respiratory conditions in southwest Alberta.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued yellow air quality alerts for southwest Alberta on Thursday afternoon after wildfire smoke began moving into the region. The agency said conditions had improved earlier in the day but warned that poor air quality and reduced visibility would return on Friday.
Air quality worsened Thursday in B.C.'s East Kootenay region, with the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) nearing 10, or Very High Risk. Some of that haze has already begun drifting through the Crowsnest Pass into Alberta.
According to FireSmoke Canada, the smoke is expected to reach the Lethbridge area by late Friday and into the early hours of Saturday. Forecasters said the incoming smoke does not appear likely to match the intensity seen during the recent long weekend, when Lethbridge's AQHI peaked above 10.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.