It's a little bit hazy out in Flin Flon this weekend. Where's the smoke coming from? The answer: Hudson Bay.
The smoke covering Flin Flon, The Pas and other communities in the region is coming from a complex of fires burning around Hudson Bay. Nine fires - including eight that are considered "out of control" - are burning in a semi-circle around Hudson Bay according to data from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Those fires have all started up within the past week, each located near the location of the Bell fire, which is located directly north of Hudson Bay. The Bell fire is currently considered as "protecting values" by the SPSA.
Smoke from the complex of fires is blowing directly from the south, according to satellite imagery covering the region.
A special air statement was announced for the regions around Flin Flon, Creighton or Denare Beach by Environment Canada Friday night, but was lifted by Saturday morning. Another statement will likely be issued Sunday, when the wind is likely to blow the smoke back into the area.
According to forecasts from Firesmoke.ca, the smoke is supposed to clear around the Flin Flon area overnight, as the wind will change and blow the smoke to the east, then to the south. However, expected wind currents are likely to blow the smoke back toward the Flin Flon area later in the weekend, especially on Sunday.
According to air quality monitoring site AQICN, as of 5 p.m. Oct. 1, Flin Flon had an Air Quality Index reading of 260 - considered to be "very unhealthy". The reading gave the Flin Flon area the worst air quality of any Canadian community where data is available Oct. 1.
