Smoke from wildfires drifting into Calgary

Expect some hazy conditions in Calgary Thursday, as a north wind blows smoke from provincial wildfires into our city.

The number of blazes burning in Alberta has dropped since Wednesday, with 42 in progress Thursday morning, 10 of which are considered out of control.

Those battling the infernos are getting some help: 150 firefighters are being brought in from across the country for support.

Continued hot and dry weather sparking wildfires may mean smog is a regular part of our summer this year.

Wildfire Information Officer Janelle Lane says the smoke drifting across the province is primarily because of two major fires the first is burning in Saskatchewan, and the second is one challenging firefighters around 40 km north of Cold Lake.

“It’s (now) approximately 20,000 hectares and the smoke was quite heavy into Cold Lake and Lac LA Biche. Some people were describing it as a wall of black smoke,” she said.

660 Meteorologist David Spence says the smoke will likely linger in the city until Friday morning.

“The smoke might actually enhance our rainfall, because in order for a raindrop to form, the moisture has to cling to something like a particle of dust or smoke in the air, and if we’re putting more smoke in the air, we might get more rainfall out of it,” he said.

Anyone with health concerns is encouraged to call Alberta Health Link.

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