Smoke break over for Sask. with return to hazy sky

After seeing blue sky and sun for the first time in days, the smoky haze returned to Saskatoon Monday.

Environment Canada meteorologist Mike Russo said the city can expect light smoke for the next few days before conditions worsen by the end of the week.

“The main plume itself is currently being diverted over into the northwestern United States,” Russo said.

“As the upper flow starts to change, what will happen is that smoke plume will work its way into northern Saskatchewan, then eventually into central and southern portions.”

Air quality advisories were ended across the province Sunday. Russo said even with the smoke’s return, air quality isn’t a concern at this point.

“At this stage, a lot of that smoke is remaining aloft and not at the surface level.”

As of noon Monday, Saskatoon’s air quality index was sitting at 4 out 10, which is a moderate risk on the government agency’s scale used to communicate the level of air pollution at a given time.