Wildfire smoke triggers air quality concerns in parts of Canada as cooler weather approaches

Wildfire smoke has reduced air quality across parts of Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories in Canada with forecasters expecting scattered rain and cooler temperatures to arrive over the coming days.

According to CTV News, high levels of fine particulate matter from wildfires prompted air quality warnings on Friday. Communities closest to active fires in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories recorded the highest smoke concentrations, while smoke drifted east and south into Alberta.

Although Calgary was not under an air quality warning early Friday, the city's Air Quality Health Index remained at a low risk level before being forecast to worsen later in the day.

The outlet reported that cooler temperatures on Thursday reduced wildfire danger across parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, with several areas downgraded from extreme to very high fire risk.

Forecasters said a high pressure ridge responsible for the recent hot and dry weather is expected to weaken, allowing cooler air to move into the region.

This change could trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms along the QEII corridor through the middle of next week.

Rainfall is expected to be localised, with some areas receiving little or no precipitation while others could see brief heavy downpours of 10 to 15 millimetres.

However, southern British Columbia is expected to remain hot and dry, with strong winds and dry lightning likely to keep wildfire risks elevated, the news source reported.