Air quality alerts issued in Nova Scotia as wildfires burn
Environment Canada has issued air quality alerts for Shelburne County and western Halifax County due to the presence of wildfire smokes.
The statements say that smoke has reduced visibility and air quality in areas downwind of the fires. The smoke is currently being transported eastward in a west wind. The smoke will move southeastward later Sunday evening as the wind direction becomes northwest.
Smoke plumes from three wildfires in the Maritimes visible on satellite imagery. One in southwestern N.B., one in southwestern N.S., and one in Halifax County, N.S. Those source area marked with a red X.
The statements recommend to "stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell. Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice".
Current air quality observation sites near Halifax have the index rated as 4 or moderate risk.
Much of Nova Scotia is under a no-burn order with the wildfire danger assessed as high-to-extreme by Natural Resources Canada. New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island also have elevated fire danger ratings.
The fire danger risk is rated high-to-extreme for large areas of the Maritimes.
There is little good news in the weather forecast for helping combat the wildfires. A weak cold front is dropping north to south across the region tonight. The front will cool temperatures and turn winds to a more north/northwest direction. There is no significant rain associated with the front.
Despite cooler temperatures on Monday, the air will remain quite dry with low, relative humidity. A north wind with gusts of 30 to 50 km/h will continue through Monday morning into early afternoon. The wind is forecast to diminish late afternoon into evening.
High pressure will be in place for much of the upcoming week. It may be as late in the week as Friday before we have a chance of more widespread rain or showers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.